Mobility Performance
Honda’s Approach
Honda engages in technological development by fully understanding the real accident situations in a real-world traffic environment comprising multiple types of road users, including motorcycles and automobiles, and by conducting detailed analyses of accident mechanisms.
To date, Honda has developed the world’s first*1 pedestrian dummy, an anthropomorphic model used to reproduce the human body’s kinematics during a collision with an automobile, and has established the world’s first indoor omnidirectional crash test facility to conduct research into more realistic crash configurations. In addition, the Company has developed and introduced new technologies, such as the SRS Airbag System for the driver’s seat, the Advanced
Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure*2, and CMBS (a world first) for automobiles, and the mass-produced airbag system for motorcycles (a world first).
Since 2014, Honda has expanded the application of Honda SENSING, a safe driving support system that assists in accident avoidance, to its automobile models.
In 2022, the Company launched Honda SENSING 360. Honda SENSING 360 is a technology that leverages the knowledge gained from the research and development of Honda SENSING Elite, the world’s first practical application of automated driving technology*3 in 2021.
Going forward, in developed countries, the Company aims to apply these technologies, which cover a wide range of fatal collision situations envisioned by Honda, to all automobile models by 2030, including Honda SENSING 360, further enhanced pedestrian protection and collision mitigation technologies, and advanced automatic collision notification (AACN).
In addition, to address the major issue of fatal accidents involving motorcycles in emerging countries, Honda is promoting the application of Honda SENSING with a motorcycle detection function to all automobile models. For motorcycles, Honda aims to equip more models with its advanced braking systems, such as ABS and CBS, as well as lights with high visibility for both riders and other road users.
*1 Based on Honda’s research
*2 A safety-oriented body structure that efficiently disperses and absorbs collision energy in the engine compartment when automobiles collide with each other. It offers significantly greater occupant protection and reduces the damage to the other impacted vehicles.
*3 Automated driving technology corresponding to Automated Driving Level 3, as defined by the Japanese government (in accordance with SAE). Under certain conditions, the system monitors traffic conditions in the vicinity and operates on behalf of the driver. If the system deviates from the available conditions, an alarm is given, and the driver is required to take over driving immediately.
FY2024 Regional Activities
Toward the achievement of the 2030 milestone, the popularization and functional evolution of Honda’s ADAS are of critical importance for automobiles
Honda SENSING, one of Honda’s ADAS, has been available since 2014. In Japan, the N-BOX minicar equipped with this system has been shown to reduce rear-end collisions by 82% and pedestrian accidents by 56% *1, confirming its effectiveness in reducing accidents.
The future goal is to roll out a version of Honda SENSING with a motorcycle detection function to all automobile models worldwide, including emerging countries, by 2030.
In FY2024, the application rate of Honda SENSING in emerging countries *2 was 77% and in developed countries *3 94%. In developed countries, Honda aims to roll out Honda SENSING 360 to all automobile models by 2030, starting with the CR-V that was launched in China in 2022.
For motorcycles, the Company is aiming to equip more models with its advanced braking systems, such as ABS and CBS, as well as lights with high visibility for both riders and other road users, and in FY2024, the application rate of advanced brakes in emerging countries *4 reached 85%.
*1 The difference in the number of traffic accident fatalities and injuries per registered vehicle between
N-BOX vehicles without AEB and vehicles equipped with Honda SENSING. Based on data from the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis, according to Honda’s research.
*2 India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brazil
*3 Japan, USA, China, and Europe
*4 India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Brazil
Collision reduction effect to vehicles equipped with Honda SENSING (N-BOX)
Application rate of Honda SENSINS to automobiles in emerging countries*2
Application rate of Honda SENSING / Honda SENSING 360 to automobiles in developed countries*3
Application rate of advanced braking systems, ABS / CBS to motorcycles in emerging countries *4
In March 2024, Honda SENSING 360 was installed in the new ACCORD model for the first time for the Japanese market. Honda SENSING 360 provides 360° sensing* by equipping the vehicle with a front sensor camera as well as front radar and a total of five-millimeter wave radars at each corner. CMBS has evolved from the conventional Honda SENSING functionality to detect pedestrians when turning right or left, in addition to vehicles encountering each other at intersections. CMBS provides a comfort and even safety driving environment with the addition of Front cross traffic warning, lane change Collision mitigation, and Active lane change assist.
Main features of Honda SENSING 360
■ Advanced Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
The CMBS of the conventional Honda SENSING has been further evolved to support collision avoidance and damage mitigation at intersections by extending the detection range from the front to all directions.
■ Front cross traffic warning
When starting from a stop or traveling at low speeds, the system notifies the driver of intersecting vehicles approaching from the left or right in front of the vehicle.
■ Lane change Collision mitigation
When changing lanes, the system detects vehicles in the adjacent lane approaching from behind and alerts the driver and assists in steering to avoid a collision.
■ Active lane change assist
When the driver operates the blinker on highways and freeways, the system detects the surrounding conditions and assists the driver in steering to change lanes.
* The detection performance of Honda SENSING 360 has limitations and does not eliminate the need for visual confirmation by the driver.
