Nissan looks to be taking on Tesla in the race to self-driving cars, with the introduction of a new feature in its next-generation Leaf electric vehicle. The cars will feature a new technology called ProPILOT Assist that supports drivers by helping control acceleration, braking and steering. While Nissan has not said when the next-generation Leaf will be revealed or its cost, rumours suggest it could be as early as September, with shipping starting by the end of 2018. Nissan's next-generation Leaf will feature a new technology called ProPILOT Assist that supports drivers by helping control acceleration, braking and steering The ProPILOT Assist feature is designed to give drivers a helping hand as they drive in traffic. When the ProPILOT Assist button on the steering wheel is pressed, the car takes over the acceleration, braking and steering, keeping the car safely in its lane.

The next generation Leaf EV will be the first with ProPilot driver assist in North American and Europe, and Nissan has just showed how that will look. Activated by a button on the steering wheel, it can control steering, braking and acceleration, but only in a single freeway lane. The driver can see exactly what's going on with the aid of a fancy animation front and center in the largely digital dashboard. Automakers' self-driving systems will always be compared to Tesla, whose Autopilot is the most advanced available commercially. In Nissan's case, the ProPilot will help with boring highway cruising, but is a far cry from the semi-automatic Autopilot.