In a heartwarming and trailblazing moment, 93-year-old Brad Ashton, a retired comedy scriptwriter from Enfield, got a glimpse into the future of motoring, and he didn’t even need to put his hands on the wheel. Brad, whose humour has graced the material of comedy legends like Groucho Marx and Tommy Cooper, traded in nostalgia for innovation as he took a ride in Nissan’s autonomous vehicle alongside the winding country roads of Bedfordshire. His verdict? A resounding thumbs-up and a definitive proclamation: “This is the future of motoring!”.
After nearly eight decades behind the wheel—having started driving back when cars needed a crank to start—Brad seized the opportunity to experience Nissan’s groundbreaking autonomous driving (AD) technology, which promises to forge a path for mobility that’s safer, more accessible, and surprisingly relaxing. “Cars were different back in 1947… I was very proud to be the first older person to try this car out. It was exciting travelling on these winding country roads with the team – I thought I would feel frightened or worried but felt safe and relaxed throughout the experience,” Brad remarked.
The ride wasn’t just a joyride for Brad. As the primary carer for his wife Valerie, Brad’s Nissan Micra is his lifeline—helping him run errands, visit friends, and stay independent. That independence is far from trivial, especially when one-third of people aged 70 and above living in rural areas feel socially isolated due to a lack of driving ability. For someone like Brad, future autonomy could help bridge the gap between aging and staying connected.
Brad isn’t the only one championing the merits of driverless cars. A Nissan-commissioned survey of 1,000 adults over the age of 70 revealed a pressing desire for technology that can empower older generations to maintain their mobility—and with it, their connections to the world. A whopping 64% expressed interest in innovations like autonomous cars to stay independent, while over six in ten admitted they don’t want to rely on others for mundane but essential transport needs like shopping or visiting family. Yet, the survey also highlighted that such futuristic technologies don’t always sit comfortably with everyone: 67% admitted they would feel nervous about stepping into a self-driving car, though curiosity (24%) and amazement (12%) followed closely behind.
Nissan’s autonomous driving tech isn’t just about convenience—it’s about inclusivity. As part of their ambitious evolvAD project, Nissan has been rigorously testing autonomous vehicles across 16,000 miles of roads in the UK, including tricky country lanes like the ones Brad traversed. By envisioning a safer, cleaner, and more inclusive automotive future, Nissan is striving to ensure mobility isn’t lost for those who need it most, whether due to age, disability, or living in areas with limited transport options. David Moss, Nissan’s Senior Vice President, eloquently summarized: “As well as making driving safer by reducing human error, and cleaner by improving efficiency, this technology can give many more people access to mobility who may not have it today due to location, age or disability”.
For Brad, however, the magic isn’t just in the technology, but in its potential to improve daily life. He dreams of a day when “driverless cars of the future could find you a parking space,” combining a grandfather’s wit with a nod to practical innovation. Over seven decades on the roads, and one autonomous ride later, Brad Ashton is living proof that age is no barrier to embracing change with humour in tow.
It seems the future of motoring is here—and Brad says that’s no joking matter.
