Nissan releases self-parking slippers at Japanese inn

  • Nissan has created smart slippers to drive onto the feet of hotel guests in Japan
  • The product is using the automaker’s ProPilot Park technology to move around
  • The self-parking slippers are meant to raise awareness of autonomous vehicles  

In Japan, where old traditions are constantly being updated with new technology, one inn is making use of automated driving technology to offer the latest in hands-free hospitality – self-driving slippers.

Nissan has developed a system for slippers to ‘park’ themselves at the entrance of the traditional inn at the push of a button, ready for guests to use upon arrival.

Each slipper is equipped with two tiny wheels, a motor and sensors to ‘drive’ across the wooden lobby floor using Nissan’s ProPilot Park technology. 

Slippers that move onto your feet using Nissan’s ProPilot Park technology, pictured, will be available at a Japanese hotel this March

Nissan is said to already use this technology in the latest version of its all-battery electric Leaf vehicle. 

High-tech sensors and cameras allow the car to locate and back into parking spots without any driver input. 

Each slipper is equipped with two tiny wheels, a motor and sensors that allow it to 'drive' across the wooden lobby floor and into designated spots, pictured

Each slipper is equipped with two tiny wheels, a motor and sensors that allow it to ‘drive’ across the wooden lobby floor and into designated spots, pictured

Using it's ProPilot Park technology the slippers are able to 'park' themselves at the entrance of the inn with just a push of a button, pictured

Using it’s ProPilot Park technology the slippers are able to ‘park’ themselves at the entrance of the inn with just a push of a button, pictured

Floor cushions, pictured, and traditional low tables also have the technology integrated and will be able to wheel themselves into place like the slippers

Floor cushions, pictured, and traditional low tables also have the technology integrated and will be able to wheel themselves into place like the slippers

A simplified version of the technology has been installed at the ‘ProPilot Park Ryokan’ inn, which is located around 47 miles southwest of Tokyo and famed for its view of Mount Fuji. 

Selected guests will be able to experience the technology in March where it is also hoped to reduce staff load.

A Nissan spokesman, Nick Maxfield, said: ‘The self-parking slippers are meant to raise awareness of automated driving technologies, and their potential, non-driving applications.’

Floor cushions and traditional low tables also have the technology integrated and will be able to wheel themselves into place like the slippers.

Nissan plans to bring a car that can drive itself on city streets by 2020.

In 2016 the automaker produced self-driving office chairs that were able to neatly roll back into their places when not being used. 

HOW DOES NISSAN’S PROPILOT PARK TECHNOLOGY WORK?

ProPilot Park technology is used to help drivers park by automatically.

Nissan released its automated parking system, ProPilot Park, in the 2017 release of its Leaf electric vehicle. 

The technology guides the car into a parking spot using radar and cameras to navigate.

It uses four high-resolution cameras capable of real-time image processing and 12 sonar sensors placed around the vehicle to assess the vehicle’s surroundings

Drivers activate the technology by pressing a button. The button must be held the entire time, unlike the hands-free Tesla Model S. 

Taking a finger off the button will cause the vehicle to stop immediately.

Drivers can apply breaks if necessary, but ProPilot Park otherwise handles the accelerator, braking and steering input when the car is parking.



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