Driverless cars at work

YOKOSUKA, Japan: Nissan is testing self-driving cars at one of its plants in Japan that can tow vehicles on a trailer to the wharf for loading on transport ships.

The Japanese carmaker thinks the technology will, in the long run, save costs and boost efficiency. The tests can also add to knowledge needed to take such autonomous driving on to public roads.

Nissan executive Haruhiko Yoshimura said the carmaker hoped to use the technology throughout the Oppama plant by 2019, and in overseas plants in the future. During a demonstration yesterday, a Leaf car with no one inside scooted along the road, pulling a trailer with three other Leafs on it.