Honda preparing to roll out smarter safety technology

Honda has detailed its new Sensing 360+ “omnidirectional safety and driver-assistance system” set to first be adopted on the Chinese-specification Accord in 2024, before being applied “on a global basis”.

At this stage it’s unclear which Honda will be first adopt the system in Australia. A Honda Australia spokesperson couldn’t confirm the arrival of this technology to the local market.

The Honda Sensing 360+ system builds upon the current Honda Sensing 360 system and includes a driver monitoring camera, as well as high-definition maps. These are claimed to reduce health-related or “human error-triggered” collisions.

The new safety system still features a front millimetre-wave radar unit at the front, millimetre-wave radar units at each corner of the vehicle, a front sensor camera, front and rear sonar sensors, and a steering wheel grip sensor.

The system also offers “Advanced In Lane Driving with Hands-off Capability”.

This feature operates the accelerator, brake pedal, and steering wheel on freeways to maintain vehicle speed and to stay in the lane, even when the driver takes their hands off the wheel. It also uses high-definition maps and GPS to identify the vehicle position.

During turns the system detects the curvature of the lane “in advance”, and slows down or speeds up as required.

While the Advanced In Lane Driving with Hands-off Capability function is activated, it can detect when a car in front is moving at a slower speed and assess whether a lane change is possible. If the system determines a lane change is possible, it notifies the driver.

When the driver approves the lane changes by pressing the “switch” button on the steering wheel, the system controls the indicator, accelerating and braking, as well as the steering to assist in passing or returning to the original lane.

The system can also recommend a lane change necessary to drive toward the set destination based on the route guidance being provided by the navigation system.

Another part of the Honda Sensing 360+ system is a Predictive Curve Departure Warning that provides visual and audible warnings, as well as assists in deceleration to reduce the possibility of an incident where the car leaves the road at a curve.

There’s also a Driver Emergency Support System that slows and then stops the vehicle within its lane in the event of a sudden medical in The system also connects to the emergency call centre service.

The last feature the Honda Sensing 360+ system offers is an Exit Warning that detects a vehicle approaching from the rear when parked. When the system detects the risk of a collision between the vehicle door the occupant is about to open and other vehicles passing by, and indicator flashes and there’s an audible alarm sounds.

Honda is currently aiming to have zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda motorcycles and cars globally by 2050.