Key Highlights:
- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. showcased a lunar rover prototype created in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
- Nissan has prioritized the creation of reliable driving performance, allowing consumers to drive their vehicles with more confidence.
- The Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE is set to be on sale in Japan in the summer of 2022.
Nissan showcases lunar rover
At its Nissan Futures event, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. showcased a lunar rover prototype created in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
The JAXA Space Exploration Innovation Hub Center is undertaking research on lunar rovers, which are an important technology for space exploration. Since January 2020, Nissan has been collaborating with JAXA on the rovers’ driving controllability.
A lunar rover must be capable of traversing the moon’s powdery, rocky, and undulating environment while conserving energy. Furthermore, the energy sources available to power spacecraft in space are restricted.
Nissan’s research employs motor control technology gained during the manufacture of mass-market electric cars such as the LEAF, as well as the e-4ORCE all-wheel control technology featured on the all-new Ariya electric crossover. e-4ORCE, in particular, is improving the lunar rover’s performance across difficult terrain.
The ultimate driving experience
Nissan has prioritized the creation of reliable driving performance, allowing consumers to drive their vehicles with more confidence. The e-4ORCE technology from Nissan accurately manages all four wheels independently, giving the driver confidence in a variety of circumstances.
Nissan is developing e-4ORCE technology in collaboration with JAXA to boost performance on sandy terrain and other tough circumstances. When driving through sand, the wheels frequently spin and dig in, impeding progress. To prevent becoming stuck, you must have a good degree of driving proficiency. Nissan has developed driving-force controls that limit wheel spin based on surface conditions in order to address this demand.
Nissan hopes to contribute to the technical growth of automotive technology and space exploration technology through cooperative research by sharing know-how obtained through test-vehicle development and merging it with JAXA’s experience of rover research.
An exciting and comfortable ride
The Ariya e-4ORCE variant has front and rear electric motors. Each motor’s torque may be separately adjusted to create traction during acceleration. When decelerating, the amount of regeneration for the front and rear motors is separately regulated. e-4ORCE reduces dip and body tremor during braking.
The torque of the front and rear motors, as well as the braking capabilities of the four wheels, are regulated through curves to provide smooth and pleasant handling. Drivers of all skill levels can easily negotiate diverse road conditions, including rain and snow, thanks to these controls.
The Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE is set to be on sale in Japan in the summer of 2022.
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