Traffic Ecosystem
Honda’s Approach
n 1998, Honda started to offer “Internavi,” a car navigation system in Japan that is equipped with communication functions to support safe driving by providing drivers with information on traffic congestion and disasters using driving data collected from Honda vehicles.
In 2013, Honda launched a Safety Map service that integrates and analyzes various information, such as emergency braking information collected through the Internavi system, information on traffic accidents provided by the police and local governments, and traffic information provided by local residents. This service on Honda’s website allows users to learn in advance about areas where accidents frequently occur. In addition to being used by ordinary people, the Safety Map has also been used by local governments and other organizations to improve roads by adding road markings, etc.
These efforts have evolved since then, and in 2017 the Company launched Honda Drive Data Service, a data service that displays dangerous areas on a map in real time, aiming to address social issues, including disaster prevention and traffic accident prevention. Honda is also operating AACN*. This system utilizes vehicle-connected technology to estimate the probability of fatality and serious injury of occupants based on vehicle data at the time of a traffic accident using an algorithm to estimate the probability, and to notify a hospital with a doctor helicopter base so that a doctor helicopter or doctor car can be dispatched at an early stage.
Looking toward the future, Honda is developing its Safe and Sound Network Technology, which connects all traffic participants, i.e., people and mobility vehicles, through telecommunications to predict risks before accidents occur and support accident avoidance.
The Technology utilizes digital twin technology that aggregates information from all traffic participants and recreates the traffic environment in the virtual space. It is characterized by its ability to predict the occurrence of traffic accidents based on human behavior by using
Honda’s proprietary technology to determine the state and characteristics of traffic participants and reflecting them in the virtual space. Traffic participants are informed of supportive information derived from these predictions to prevent traffic accidents and are encouraged to take evasive action before an accident may occur.
Honda is accelerating industry and public-private sector-led efforts toward social implementation of the Safe and Sound Network Technology from 2030 onward.
* The system automatically reports vehicle collision information that is useful for emergency lifesaving by providing accurate location
information and injury prediction when airbags are activated.
Development of a system that extends the scope of coverage to accidents involving pedestrians and motorcycles is planned.
Honda Partners with United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) to Work Toward Reduction of Fatalities from Traffic Collisions
In November 2024, Honda became the first automobile manufacturer to partner with the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) to contribute to global initiatives to reduce fatalities from traffic collisions.
By combining the knowledge and know-how Honda has amassed through its long history of developing safety technologies and promoting safe driving/riding with the global network of the UNRSF, Honda and UNRSF will support traffic collision analysis and the road safety policies of various countries. Honda and UNRSF have made emerging nations, particularly in Asia, as a focus area.
As for support for road safety policies in each country, Honda and UNRSF will provide aid to emerging countries, particularly in Asia. This will include advocating for legislation of appropriate speed limits, mandatory protective gear (helmets, seat belt use) and licensing systems, as well as assisting in strengthening the enforcement of traffic rules, proposing infrastructure improvements, and enhancing road safety awareness activities.
Furthermore, Honda will donate a total of US$3 million to the UNRSF over five years from 2025 to 2030 for Honda-UNRSF collaboration in road safety initiatives.
Research and Development of Core Elements for Safe and Sound Network Technology
The Safe and Sound Network Technology consists of three core elements: “Understanding Human Characteristics,” “Prediction and Anticipation,” and “Synlogue-based Communication.” Currently, research and development are progressing in each of these areas.
Understanding Human Characteristics: By using technologies such as vital sensing to monitor the driver’s condition in real-time, the impact on driving behavior is statistically analyzed, and specific risk factors are systematically identified.
Prediction and Anticipation: Utilizing Digital Twin technology and comprehensive risk assessment algorithms, predictions and forecasts of traffic collisions are made.
Synlogue-based Communication: This technology promotes the understanding of latent risks so that everyone sharing the road can prepare before collisions occur.
Honda is also developing a “Multi-Agent Traffic Simulator” to verify safety technologies by constructing a realistic traffic environment as a virtual space. The Safe and Sound Network Technology should be validated not only for specific traffic collision scenarios, but also for everyone sharing the road who may be affected by such collisions, taking into account their conditions and the constantly changing traffic situation. This simulator enables such comprehensive verification.
