Propilot Assist Technology at Spinelli Nissan in Montreal

It’s this year that we will finally see Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist technology come forward, and the very first vehicle to benefit from it will be the Rogue, the product of the best-selling car manufacturer here in Canada. Unveiled at the Nissan Technical Center North America (NTCNA), the ProPILOT Assist system is calibrated specifically for North American roads and drivers, and it has been tested for more than 80,000 kilometres on the roads of the United States.

Whether it’s in the busy traffic jams in the streets of Montreal, during rush hour in Laval, or in fluid traffic on Île Perrot or the West Island, this Nissan technology lends itself to all conditions, but it still requires the driver to keep his hands on the steering wheel. It is a driver-assisted system and not a fully autonomous driving technology. ProPILOT Assist reduces the inconvenience of city driving by ensuring partial acceleration, braking and changes of direction on single-lane roads.

But how does it work? Calibrated and designed specifically for North American roads ProPILOT Assist technology uses a front-facing camera, radar in the front, sensors and an electronic control module that work in unison to help the driver maintain a consistent speed and stay at the centre of the road, always respecting a safe distance with the vehicle ahead. It can slow the vehicle to a complete stop and even keep it immobilized in a traffic jam, for instance.

Although it offers power steering and therefore the need to always adjust the trajectory, the integrated steering torque sensor chaperones your every move. Here’s how it works: suppose you hold the wheel gently, an alert can be triggered to warn you that you need to hold it more firmly. In other words, it wants to make sure you are in control!

If it rains profusely or if it snows heavily, the power steering system simply turns off. On the other hand, if your windshield wipers are operating in intermittent or foggy mode, it will be able to detect marks on the road and operate normally.

As soon as you activate a flashing light, press the accelerator or the brakes, the system will go into “sleep” mode and temporarily de-activate. At all times, manual controls are prioritized. The ProPILOT Assist adapts to different road conditions, helps the driver to stay in the centre of his lane and can even detect curves, but, at all times and without exception, it is up to him to stay focused on his driving.

To learn a little more about this wonderful technology and the new 2018 Rogue, come and see us at your Nissan dealer in Montreal, just a few minutes from Île Perrot, the West Island and Laval. When you purchase your vehicle, you’ll benefit from Nissan’s promotional offers and numerous financing opportunities.