Honda SENSING Elite launched in Japan; offers Level 3 automated driving features

KUALA LUMPUR: Not Cadillac, Not Tesla, Not even Audi, it’s the Japanese automaker Honda that has finally cracked the code of the Level 3 vehicular autonomy. The company just rolled out a new version of its Honda Sensing advanced driver-assistance system called Honda Sensing Elite, which is the first commercial Level 3 ADAS suite of the automotive industry.  

According to Honda, the ‘Elite’ moniker signifies the outstanding and ‘elite’ technologies included in this latest variation. The previous Honda's Sensing ADAS included a glut of advanced driver assists such as automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, traffic sign recognition, and more. Along with these features, the new version brings onboard a new Traffic Jam Pilot system with hands-free Level 3 autonomous driving technology. 

Honda described that Traffic Jam Pilot enables the automated system to operate the vehicle, instead of the driver under specific conditions such as driving in a traffic jam on a highway. The Traffic Jam Pilot function obtained a Level 3 designation from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism last November.

The system takes data from maps and a global navigation satellite system to detect the vehicle's position and road conditions, also there are external sensors to monitor its surroundings and a camera inside to monitor the driver. With the help of fetched information, Traffic Jam Pilot makes decisions and applies the accurate level of braking, acceleration, and steering inputs, whatever is needed according to the situation.

To increase the safety and effectiveness of the technology, the automaker subjected it to around 10 million patterns of possible real-world situations. Also, it has conducted real-world tests for a total of 800,000 miles on the roads and expressways. 

Honda has equipped the Legend sedan with the new Honda Sensing Elite, which is now on sale in Japan with a limited production run of only 100 units. The sedan is available in a single Hybrid EX trim, priced at 11,000,000 yen (RM 416,630).

Powering the Honda Legend is a 3.5 litre direct-injection V6 gasoline mill that is coupled with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and Sport Hybrid AWD setup. Included in the driver assistance suite are active lane change assist with hands-off function, active lane change with hands-off function, and Traffic Jam Pilot. 

To highlight the sedan’s Level 3 self-driving capability, Honda added blue accessory lights on the front bumper along with a new aluminum wheel design. Inside, the sedan features Sensing Elite indicator lights, which help the driver in understanding the operating status of the system.

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