Carbon neutrality is just one of Honda’s ultimate goals. Another one is zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles globally by 2050. But, no matter how big that goal is, it’s always the question of how. With the global safety slogan “Safety for Everyone,” Honda’s collision-free society goal is supported by pursuing the research and development of safety technologies from the perspective of both hardware and software.
Part of Honda’s plans is to equip all its new automobile models globally with Honda Sensing with a motorcycle detection function by 2030, and to continue advancing Honda Sensing functions. Through these initiatives, the company aims to reduce global traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles by half by 2030.
According to Honda’s internal research, the Sensing safety and driver-assistive system currently applies to its mass-production models. It is installed in 99% of the brand’s new automobile models sold in Japan and the United States and 86% globally as of September 2022. In the Philippines, almost all of Honda’s vehicle lineup is equipped with Honda Sensing, except the Brio.
Meanwhile, after witnessing Honda’s presentation at the recently concluded Japan Mobility Show, the Philippine media contingent proceeded to the Honda R&D Proving Ground. There, the group had an immersive experience of some of the critical elements of these new functions.
Honda Sensing with motorcycle detection and Sensing Elite
The first demonstration was accurately detecting a motorcycle to avoid collision while traveling below cruising speed. The initial scenario involved an incoming motorcycle suddenly swerving towards the vehicle. The Honda N-Box demo car managed to avoid collision by automatically applying emergency braking to a complete halt. The following scenario was closely tailing another car with an incoming non-moving motorcycle. Here, the demo vehicle successfully applied emergency braking to a full stop even while closely following the car upfront, which suddenly swerved to avoid the motorcycle. Impressively, the active function still avoided collision.
The next stage was driving the Legend hybrid executive sedan equipped with Sensing Elite (level three certification for autonomous driving). In this stage, the entire oval track was utilized to demonstrate a series of driving scenarios continuously to exhibit several enhanced functions. By initially engaging the adaptive cruise control, the preset speed was gradually increased to high speed. While within a lane, the “Adaptive in Lane Driving” function took control by accelerating, braking, and steering even while intentionally slightly letting off the hand from the steering wheel (hands-off operation). The system kept the vehicle within the lane while maintaining the preset speed, even during a long curve.
The following scenario demonstrated the Active Lane Change Assist with Hands-off Function. Here, while the Adaptive in-lane driving is active, other cars were present to mimic the freeway driving situation. After putting on the turn signal, the system impressively determined safe lane change and even controlled the steering and assisted even with slightly hands-off. Last, the “Traffic Jam Pilot” along with “Adaptive in Lane Driving.” With the scenario surrounded by several vehicles, the system took control of accelerating, braking, and steering while monitoring the surroundings.
The system kept the car within the lane while maintaining a proper following distance. The passenger specialist even demonstrated how the function was in total control while allowing the driver to operate the infotainment system or navigation system. Impressively, there were even instances, while at high speed, the function detected a slow car and automatically applied strong brakes from a high speed to avoid collision.
While the entire demonstration was to allow the driver-assist function to take complete control, it was somewhat of a challenge whenever the behind-the-wheel instinct kicked in to regain control. Nevertheless, the advanced safety features of the Sensing Elite demonstrated its impressive level of autonomous driving capabilities.
World-first proprietary safety technologies
One of the demonstrations at the company’s R&D proving ground was the brand’s unique and world-first proprietary technology involving understanding humans, foresight/predictive, and synlogue-based HMI (Human-Machine Interface). It may sound complex, but upon practical demonstrations, these technologies that are still in the developmental stage are not only groundbreaking but also assuring.
The first demo was with the motorcycle HMI system for safety riding. There was a concept model equipped with conspicuity lights and an ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) radar reflector. The objective is to make the motorcycle more recognizable, enabling drivers to understand its distance and speed. The ADAS reflector, meanwhile, makes it easier for ADAS-equipped vehicles to detect motorcycles. As for the synlogue-based HMI, the system will send forms of signal through the front’s small glass shield to alert the rider of potential risks. Interestingly, the concept model also has an airbag between the steering bar. When deployed, the bag will absorb the rider’s impact and will lessen injuries or even fatalities.
Next was onboard the ESV (experimental safety vehicle) Honda e: an all-electric car. Here, the technologies involving detecting the driver’s condition/state, system foresight/predictive, and synlogue-based HMI were fully demonstrated. During the series of driving situations, there was a voice prompt informing of a detected incoming motorcycle and a crossing pedestrian at an intersection. The system even prompted when it was safe to proceed. Then, in the following scenario, the system voice prompt successfully detected a child behind a vehicle and about to cross. As for the synlogue-based HMI, a camera is installed on the center dash to monitor the driver’s facial condition to detect the level of stress.
The last stage was about “Communication Lighting”. With the same ESV demo car, the technicians demonstrated the unique profile accent rear reflectors designed for motorcycle riders’ visibility alert. Moreover, there was pedestrian communication lighting to send signals in the form of moving lights in the car’s front grille, recognizing crossing pedestrians. (Story, photos and video by Randy Peregrino)