Honda will get new hands-off features mid-decade

Honda Motor Co. revealed plans to expand its Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technology to include hands-off features on all U.S. models by 2030.

Honda says the technology reflects its vision to cut global traffic fatalities involving Honda autos and motorcycles in half in the same timeframe on its way to eliminating the fatalities by 2050.

The upgraded suite, called Honda Sensing 360, is now being deployed on some models in China. It uses an expanded sensory range around the entire vehicle that eliminates blind spots and enhances collision avoidance.

In 2024, Honda will add new features and bring the technology to the United States at mid-decade. The Acura version of the tech bundle will be called AcuraWatch.

Honda said the expanded features are derived from its development of Level 3 automated driving technology, which is part of Honda's Sensing Elite package that debuted on the Legend but is only available in Japan.

Honda Sensing Elite is a flagship program that uses artificial intelligence to accumulate data and increase the vehicle's capability to recognize complex environments. Honda said it is developing these technologies as a way for drivers to achieve "safe and seamless" commutes on both highways and city streets.

The Honda Sensing 360 builds off what's currently offered as the Honda Sensing suite, which first debuted on the 2015 Honda CR-V and 2015 Acura TLX and is now being used on 7 million Honda and Acura vehicles in the U.S., the company said.

Honda Sensing 360 leverages a more sophisticated collision mitigation braking system that can detect pedestrians and other vehicles coming from multiple directions in an intersection, as well as front cross-traffic warning, active lane change assist and lane-change collision mitigation.

The expanded iteration that will come to the U.S. will include an advanced version of the automaker's advanced in-lane driving with a hands-off function. That feature combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering while allowing drivers to remove their hands from the wheel.

Also added will be advanced lane change with hands-off function, which will allow, under certain conditions, the vehicle to undertake a lane change without the driver's help. A driver emergency support system and exit warning will be included.

Honda also will add technology to detect the driver's condition, which comprises a driver's attention or collision warning that scans for inattention or careless driving. The system will reduce vehicle speed if it detects pedestrians, bicycles or vehicles that could obstruct the path. Emergency steering support technology will add steering assist if needed as the vehicle slows.