Honda Takes Step Toward Level 3 Autonomous Driving

Honda, not known for making bold statements, makes a big one at MBS 2021 claiming it’s the first global automaker to have safely bridged the gap between Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous technology.

This gap has long been a bone of contention because it demands a time delay between the robot driver and the human taking back control in a timely manner. In truth, that’s why the carmaker known for its caution has launched a system that only activates at slow speeds.

The Honda Legend for its domestic market hosts the Honda Sensing Elite system with traffic jam pilot and hands-free lane changing technology. In doing so, the automaker stresses the importance of working with regulators who will allow the automated driving systems to function properly.

Presenting the technology, Yoichi Sugimoto, head of Honda’s autonomous driving technology program, says its new system was only made possible with the Japanese government’s change of driving laws in 2020 that allowed for hands-free operation by the driver when the systems are active.

He outlines the system’s claimed capabilities, saying it will activate automatically but only when weather and traffic conditions allow.

“First, the vehicle will know its position on the main highway with high accuracy and when the speed of your car and other cars, ahead and behind, becomes slow,” Sugimoto says. “Then the system will drive, and the driver can watch videos during this time. One of the biggest challenges in this is the safe transition of driving responsibility from the system back to the driver. The takeover is presented in an escalating sequence audibly and tactically.

“In the event of an emergency and the driver does not respond, the system slows the vehicle and pulls it to the shoulder, if possible, and performs an emergency stop to achieve the minimum risk conditions.”

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In this situation, a call is immediately made to a call center to investigate what has gone wrong while the vehicle activates its hazard warning lines and repeatedly sounds its horn.

Vehicles fitted with the full suite bristle with sensors, boasting five radars, five lidars and two cameras to give a 360-degree awareness potential for the car’s technology.

While this is currently within the latest Japanese highway regulations, most other potential marketplaces for Honda’s technology are not up to speed with hands-free driving and even

Sugimoto admits he would not recommend drivers use their mobile phones while the car is in autonomous mode, even though it is permissible under the new Japanese regulations.

“The law does allow a driver to use their phone while the system is activated, but we would not recommend it,” he says. “That’s because people can concentrate too hard on their phones and miss the alert to take over control. We prefer that they look at the navi (infotainment screen) which keeps them informed.”

Jay and Sue presenting - Copy