Sunderland's Nissan plant to build Europe's first 'driverless' cars

Sunderland's Nissan plant is set to become Europe's leader in 'driverless' car technology.

The company have announced that their new car will be the company's first vehicle in Europe to feature autonomous 'Piloted Drive' equipment when it rolls off the line next year.

The technology allows a car to drive itself independently and safely in a single lane in heavy traffic conditions.

Nissan say thousands of hours of testing and multiple sensors on the car ensure that it anticipates its surroundings correctly.

During the next four years, Nissan will launch vehicles with increased 'driverless' capabilities like "multiple-lane control", which can negotiate hazards and change lanes during driving.

Nissan say by the end of the decade they will introduce "inner-city" autonomy, allowing vehicles to drive themselves across busy cross roads and intersections.

The firm says the technology will be installed on mass-market cars at affordable prices, with the first coming to Japan in 2016.