The new Honda SENSING 360+ will be rolled first out in the new Chinese-market Accord come 2024.
Honda has recently announced the introduction of its latest and greatest advanced driver assistance suite (ADAS). Built upon the existing Honda Sensing 360 system that first made its debut in the Chinese-market CR-V in 2022, this new and improved package adds a ‘+’ to its name and a driver monitoring camera to its sensing arsenal.
A set of high-definition maps has also been incorporated by the Japanese automaker into its new system too, for which it touts overall will significantly reduce health-related or human error-triggered collisions with its cars. Honda currently aims to begin rolling out this new Honda SENSING 360+ in its Accord that will go on sale in China in 2024, before eventually expanding its application worldwide soon after.
So given that this might soon make its way over here to Malaysia, what could be expected with this new ADAS? Well, below are 5 of its key features that Honda at least is more than happy to promote.
1. Advanced In Lane Driving with Hands-off Capability
A primarily highway-based active driver aid, Advanced In Lane Driving with Hands-off Capability reduces driver burden by operating the accelerator, brake pedal and steering wheel to assist the driver to maintain proper vehicle speed and stay in the lane, even while the driver takes hands off the steering wheel. Honda touts for this particular feature to be made possible by the aforementioned integration of high-definition maps in this new ADAS, and the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) to locate the vehicle’s position.
When there is no car in front of the vehicle, the system will drive the vehicle along the middle of its lane while maintaining the pre-set vehicle speed. When there is a car in front meanwhile, the system follows that vehicle in front while maintaining a proper following distance. And if there is a curve in the road, the system will intelligently the curvature of the lane in advance and performs deceleration and acceleration in accordance with the detected curvature to assist the driver in the way that they can drive with a peace of mind.
2. Active Lane Change Recommendation
For those who wishes to get a move on while enjoying a carefree cruise on the highway now, this new Active Lane Change Recommendation will probably pique your interest. That is as while the above Advanced In Lane Driving with Hands-off Capability is activated, the activation of this feature will see the system actively assess the vehicle’s surroundings under certain conditions when the system detects a vehicle in front which is moving at a slower speed. And when the system eventually determines a lane change is possible, it will notify the driver.
Things however get even better from there, as when the driver approves of said lane change to pass the slower vehicle by pressing the switch button on the steering wheel, the system will then controls the turn signal, accelerating/decelerating and steering to assist in passing and returning to the original lane. All while the driver presumably sits back and continues relaxing, or more likely have its mouth agape in wonderment to this incredible feat.
Moreover, on the navigation mode, the system will apparently a lane change necessary to drive toward the destination based on the route guidance being provided by the navigation system. Once the driver gives approval, the system automatically operates the vehicle for the entire process of the lane change – to entering a proper lane at a junction or an exit lane and leave the expressway.
3. Predictive Curve Departure Warning
Predictive Curve Departure Warning works to alert the driver that immediate deceleration is required to avoid the risk of carrying too much speed and leaving the road as a result. Upon approaching a curve or while navigating a curve on an expressway, when the system determines that immediate deceleration is necessary to avoid the risk of a roadway departure, the system provides warnings and assists in deceleration to reduce the possibility of an incident in which the vehicle leaves the roadway at a curve.
When the vehicle is about to enter a curve at a high speed, the system provides a visual warning by displaying “Caution curve ahead” on the meter to facilitate the driver’s early recognition of the risk. When the vehicle still approaches the curve and reaches the point where the driver must take action to decelerate, the system provides audible warnings and flashes visual warnings on the Head-Up Display to alert the driver to decelerate. When the vehicle further approaches the curve and immediate deceleration is required, the system provides stronger warnings and eventually will step in to decelerate the vehicle to reduce the possibility of a road departure at the curve.
4. Exit Warning
While the vehicle is stationary, Exit Warning will kick in when the system detects a vehicle approaching from the rear. An indicator on the front pillar or side mirror will light up up to assist occupants in recognising an approaching vehicle, with an audible alarm sounding to further alert occupants if and when the system detects the risk of a collision between the vehicle door the occupant is about to open/opened and other vehicles passing by.
5. Driver Emergency Support System
If the driver becomes incapable of continuing to drive due to some factors such as a sudden change in health condition while driving, Driver Emergency Support System will activate in assisting deceleration and stopping of the vehicle within the same lane.
When the driver is unresponsive to the system’s requests for a handover (the transfer of control back to the driver), the system will escalate alarm alerts and urge the driver to respond. If the driver however remains unresponsive, the system then will assist deceleration and stopping of the vehicle within the same lane while alerting other road users around the vehicle using hazard lights and the horn. Where applicable too, the system will connect to the local region’s emergency call centre service in order to secure the safety of the driver, occupants and other road users.
Honda Initiatives In The Areas Of Safety & Driver-Assistive Technologies
Based on the global safety slogan “Safety for Everyone”, Honda has been striving for a collision-free society for everyone sharing the road by pursuing the research and development of safety technologies from the perspective of both hardware and software. Honda is now aiming for a high goal to realise “zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and automobiles globally by 2050.” Since its introduction in 2014, the Honda SENSING functions have continued to advance, expanding application to mass-production models globally and supporting Honda customers in a variety of driving situations.
Moreover, Honda has been continuously advancing its safety and driver-assistive technologies to further enhance the safety and peace of mind of its customers and everyone sharing the road. In 2021, Honda began sales of the Honda Legend EX equipped with Honda SENSING Elite, including the Traffic Jam Pilot function, which qualifies for Level 3 automated driving technology. In 2022, Honda began offering the Honda SENSING 360 omnidirectional safety and driver-assistive system, which was developed while leveraging know-how amassed through the development of Honda SENSING Elite technology.
By leveraging strengths unique to a company that conducts research and development of safety technologies for both motorcycle and automobile business, Honda will continue working sincerely to lead efforts toward the realization of a collision-free society.
