Nissan Motor Co. signed definitive agreements with British autonomous driving startup Wayve Technologies to integrate artificial intelligence software into its next-generation ProPILOT driver-assistance systems, marking the UK company’s first commitment from a major automaker for large-scale deployment.
The partnership arrives as Nissan battles its worst financial crisis in decades. The Yokohama-based company posted a record net loss of approximately ¥750 billion ($4.8 billion) for fiscal 2024 and has announced plans to cut 20,000 jobs while shuttering factories globally. CEO Ivan Espinosa, who took the helm in March following collapsed merger talks with Honda, is scrambling to revitalize an aging product lineup.
Nissan plans to launch the first AI-enhanced ProPILOT model in Japan by fiscal 2027, with North America to follow. The technology will remain Level 2, requiring driver supervision at all times. Wayve’s software, which learns from real-world driving data rather than relying on pre-programmed maps, will work with existing sensor arrays including cameras, radar, and LiDAR.
Wayve has raised over $1 billion from backers including SoftBank, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The startup noted the deal is non-exclusive—it is also developing autonomous robotaxis with Uber in London.
Whether this collaboration can help accelerate Nissan’s turnaround remains uncertain given the company’s mounting debt obligations and intensifying competition from Tesla and Chinese EV makers.
