When we say that we love cars, it goes without saying that it includes the experience of driving them. The masses may call for self-driving cars, but you can pry the steering wheel out of our cold hands. However, Honda’s motobike went out with a self-driving car which we really think makes a lot of sense: self-driving vans Made for large construction sites.
Honda recently completed a month-long test of the AWV, or autonomous vehicle, on a large solar system construction site. Workers used 4-wheel electric wagons to move construction materials around the 1,000-acre site.
Based on a Honda Pioneer side by side, the AWV produces a shadow slightly longer (114 inches) and slightly narrower 59 inches) than Smart ForTwo. However, unlike the Pioneer, it comes to you with a friendly face like that of the non-US electric Honda e compact vans or the older Honda Acty kei trucks.
Honda created a high-definition map of the work site and established the starting and top points for the AWV. Then the minivans used the sensors and GPS to guide yourself and radar and lidar to detect obstacles along the way. Operators can also check in via the stereo camera or can drive it via remote control on the tablet app if they so wish.
For their size, the cargo capacity is quite impressive. Each rig can carry a payload of about 880 pounds, or drag a 1,653-pound tractor unit. This bed features a rear door as well as folding side rails for easier loading, giving the AWV the overall look of a kei pickup with a shredded cabin. Unladen, each AWV weighs 1,590 pounds each.
Honda says that based on the results of this test, the AWV is ready to be adapted to other industries where materials need to be transported in harsh environments. These types of repetitive driving tasks are the ideal fit for an autonomous vehicle and free up actual humans to do other tasks.
