Nissan’s AI cameras watch workers bend and walk—and it’s saving millions.

Nissan is using AI-powered cameras at its factory in Canton, Mississippi, to watch how workers move. The goal is not to replace people, but to keep them safe and reduce injuries. The system tracks body angles as employees bend, walk, and assemble vehicles. If a worker bends too far or holds an unsafe position too long, the camera flags it. Managers can then coach the worker, change the task, or redesign the workstation. “We’re not talking about job elimination,” said Victor Taylor, Nissan’s divisional vice president of manufacturing for the Americas. “What we’re referring to are mundane tasks that are really antiquated for a human being to be performing.” The technology replaces manual observations, which were often inconsistent because workers changed their behavior when they knew someone was watching. Nissan originally tested the cameras to improve efficiency and train new staff. The safety benefits were a surprise. “We weren’t originally looking for that,” Taylor said. “It just kind of shown itself as, this is the biggest win.” The system has also helped Nissan support an aging workforce. Many employees have worked at the plant for 20 to 30 years, and the company wants to protect their health and keep their experience. Workers were initially worried the cameras could threaten jobs. But Nissan introduced the system through safety committees, and employees became more open when it was presented as a training and safety tool. So far, the technology has contributed to about $34 million in health and safety-related savings at the Canton plant. It is currently used only there, but Nissan plans to expand it to its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant and evaluate it at other facilities. The news comes as Nissan shows early signs of recovery. The company replaced its CEO in April 2025 after merger talks with Honda fell through. A new recovery plan includes job cuts and reduced manufacturing capacity. In May, Nissan canceled a $500 million plan to build electric vehicles at the Canton plant. But on Monday, the company reported its first quarterly net profit in two years, helped by cost cuts and stronger sales in the US and Japan. Nissan says its US sales rose nearly 10% last quarter and calls itself America’s fastest-growing mainstream brand.