Nissan is rethinking car development through AI

Nissan aims to significantly accelerate its automotive development. To this end, the Japanese automaker is expanding its collaboration with AI specialist Monolith, extending the strategic partnership for another three years. The core objective of the cooperation is to transform the entire development process and reduce the number of expensive physical tests. The specialized AI solution is intended to help Nissan implement innovations and create new vehicles more efficiently and quickly than before.

The Japanese automaker views its AI system, developed in collaboration with Monolith, as a key component of its global corporate strategy. Named "Re:Nissan", Nissan first used Monolith's technology during the development of the new, all-electric Nissan Leaf for AI-based validation of vehicle tests. Nissan plans to use the AI ​​software in future new models for the European market.

Monolith's technology is not merely a simulation tool. The AI ​​platform utilizes a vast data repository, namely test data from vehicles accumulated over ninety years of Nissan research and development. Engineers at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, UK, are already using the software. The AI ​​is designed to predict the results of real-world, physical tests with high accuracy. This reduces reliance on physical prototypes, thus optimizing the entire process. According to Nissan, this allows engineers to focus more on practical problem-solving and final decision-making, rather than repeating standard tests.

AI validation: Pilot project has already spared 17% of tests

The decision to extend the project for three years was not made on a whim. It follows on from a successful collaboration on a very specific application: In the pilot project, the AI technology determined the optimum torque range for tightening screws. The engineers were impressed by the fact that the AI software reliably determined which additional tests still needed to be carried out manually by specialists. Physical tests in this area were reduced by around 17% compared to conventional procedures without AI.

Potential: Testing times in Europe to be halved

This 17% figure is apparently just the beginning. Nissan estimates that if the same AI approach were applied to the development of its entire European vehicle range, testing time could be reduced by as much as half. Emma Deutsch, Director at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe, has confirmed that the machine learning models reduce the reliance on prototypes. AI will play a key role in bringing the next generation of vehicles to customers faster.

Dr. Richard Ahlfeld, CEO and founder of Monolith, adds that these AI tools benefit product development in all areas. The Monolith platform utilizes tools such as a "Next Test Recommender" and an "Anomaly Detector". This allows development cycles to be halved without compromising the quality and performance of the vehicles.