The aim is 2050.Honda's Efforts to Achieve Zero Accidental Deaths

"Safety" is not enough to create an accident-free society

The current safety technology, as an "advanced driver assistance system (ADAS)," uses sensors and radar mounted on the vehicle to detect the situation inside and outside the vehicle and support braking and steering. Research and development of these technologies is progressing rapidly, and from November 2021, new models released in Japan will be required to be equipped with collision damage mitigation brakes, and are rapidly becoming widespread. In addition, due to social changes and infrastructure development, the number of traffic accident fatalities in Reiwa 2 (2020) was 2,839. The number has decreased from the peak of 16,765 in 1970 to less than one-fifth.

Safety technology is generally considered to be a countermeasure at the moment of collision or the scene immediately before it, such as ADAS. In other words, technology for avoiding collisions or reducing damage even if they do. Of course, it is important to improve the technology on the car side. However, car / motorcycle technology and environmental improvement alone are not enough to eliminate the fatalities of traffic accidents from all parts of the world. Because it is "human beings" who cause accidents. "By eliminating the anxiety of" people, "we will free the risk of accidents and create a society where people can move freely with peace of mind." To solve this essential problem, Honda engineers started by "face-to-face".

Freedom from risk requires not only automation but also "confidence"

Hideaki Takaishi, Executive Chief Engineer, Advanced Technology Research Institute, Honda R & D, looked back on the starting point of his research. What kind of technology did this lead to?

Honda R & D Co., Ltd. General Manager, Safety Planning Department, Corporate Planning Division Honda R & D Co., Ltd. Advanced Technology Research Institute Safety and Security / Human Research Domain Executive Chief Engineer Hideaki Takaishi

Joined the company in 1987. After developing mass-produced vehicles such as the project leader of the first Odyssey and being stationed in the United States, he moved to the Corporate Planning Department in 2011. He has been the Director of Safety Planning since April 2021. A leading expert in the development of Honda's safety technology.

Takaishi "The start was to think about what kind of troubles and anxieties our customers had. Obviously, there are many kinds of anxieties, and it depends on each person's situation."

Takaishi: "Look at these nine items. You may have felt such anxiety in your daily driving. It is the cause of driving mistakes and lack of attention. In other words , anxiety even before the accident . The risk of accidents has already increased. "

Takaishi: "The state of eliminating this is" safety ". It is a state where you do not have to approach the risk of an accident, but in the extreme, I want to create a state where you do not even feel that there is a risk. Pursuing" safety "is the only thing. We will lead to a society where Honda is aiming for zero traffic accident fatalities. "

In order to realize this "safety", Honda conducted thorough research on people.

Takaishi: "Not only did we discuss within Honda, but we also discussed with futurists and other outside experts to think about what the future of society would be like. What became clear in that was in human consciousness. , The desire to "act on your own will" is increasing more than ever. That means that only technology that is close to each person's thoughts and wishes can be accepted. Therefore, mobility is completely accepted. It's not just about automating to prevent accidents. Honda's goal is to be able to drive with confidence. That's what makes us feel at ease. "

Even if you are not confident in driving, what if the technology helps you to eliminate your mistake "human error"? One of the technologies to achieve this is "intelligent driving support technology."

Takaishi "I used MRI to study the movements of the human brain. After analyzing the relationship between the activities of the brain while driving and the behavior at risk, AI (artificial intelligence) was applied. By using it, we are developing a technology that keeps the risk away from the risk and prevents the risk from being overlooked. It is a technology that conveys risks in an easy-to-understand manner and AI supports operations. "

This technology gives the driver confidence. Operation of an elderly driver who has lost confidence in the reaction due to notifying other cars and pedestrians that other cars and pedestrians are approaching from the side to beginners who are full of driving by looking ahead By providing support such as assisting the driver, you will be able to hold the steering wheel with confidence. Here is the video of the experiment.

In this way, while helping each driver to get rid of their anxiety and gain confidence, Honda is also thinking about initiatives for everyone who uses the road. Therefore, what is being developed is " safety and security network technology " that avoids various risks by connecting people, mobility, and infrastructure through communication. First of all, please see this video.

This is a technology for all transportation participants to connect and coexist. Honda's original research estimates the behavior and condition of all people who use the road, and by making an integrated judgment of that information, we predict and predict risks in the road environment. By notifying this pre-reading risk according to the situation of each traffic participant, we aim to avoid accidents before they occur and to realize a traffic society where no one collides. As an example, we will introduce a pedestrian pop-out suppression system. This connects drivers, riders, and pedestrians through communication, and when a pedestrian is about to jump out, it immediately notifies the smartphone and suppresses it, and also informs the driver of the car of the danger. In addition, we will share information that people cannot recognize, such as predicting and sharing the danger hidden in blind spots, and increase peace of mind.

Takaishi "Honda's safety slogan is" Safety for Everyone. "It has the idea of" aiming for the safety of all people, "but it is not" Safety for ALL. "This is" ALL. " Honda's goal is to create a society where "Everyone = everyone" can feel at ease while respecting the will of "one = each person" rather than applying something uniformly to "= the whole" to create safety. That's what it means. "

How to get rid of road fatalities from the world?

In 2050, the number of fatalities in traffic accidents involving Honda products will be reduced to zero "in the world". Honda, which produces the largest amount of mobility in the world when combined with motorcycles and automobiles, aims to provide peace of mind to everyone on the planet. Japan is one of the top runners in the world in terms of traffic safety. The reason why the world's first "autonomous driving level 3 technology" was installed in commercial vehicles was partly because Japanese law was in compliance with it, and the obligation of collision damage mitigation brakes mentioned at the beginning was obligatory. In Europe, it started in July 2024, which means that it was introduced in Japan more than three years earlier. With the addition of advanced technology here, it may be easier to have an image of moving forward toward a safer and more secure society. On the other hand, looking at the world, the biggest challenge is motorcycle accidents in emerging countries. Looking at the Asian market, India sells more than 20 million vehicles annually, and Southeast Asian countries sell more than 15 million motorcycles, which is not comparable to Japan.

This is the result of an accident classification survey in Thailand, and among the fatalities in traffic accidents, those involving motorcycles account for about three-quarters of the total. One of the challenges behind this is the lack of education. Unlike Japan, there is no habit of learning how to operate a motorcycle at an educational institution, and most motorcycle riders have no experience.

Another characteristic of the bike is that it is cheap, durable and has a long service life. Because it can be used for a long time, even with advanced technology, it takes time to be effective due to the long cycle of replacement with a new bike. However, there are devices that have exploded in popularity around the world and have a very fast cycle of replacement with new products. That is the smartphone that many of you have. Utilizing the evolution of communication technology so that motorcycles can ride with peace of mind. If all traffic participants are connected by "safety and security network technology", it will be possible to protect two-wheeled riders and pedestrians. We will also accelerate the spread of safety education using smartphones. Honda has established "Traffic Education Centers" in 38 countries around the world, mainly in emerging countries, and is developing a system to learn traffic safety education online for those who cannot come to the center. That is " Honda Safety EdTech ". With AI-based technology, you can create a curriculum tailored to each individual, such as virtual training and driving coaching, and deepen your learning at any time and place through your smartphone.

In this way, in order not only to eliminate the risk of traffic but also to aim for a society where "free movement" is possible beyond that, not only looking at the performance of cars and motorcycles, but also utilizing network technology, each person We will continue to create a society that enhances "security."

2050, to the world of joy of free movement

If zero traffic fatalities are achieved, safe movement will be guaranteed, and everyone will have "freedom free from risk" where they can go out as they wish. That is the future society that Honda envisions.

Takaishi: There was a lot of debate about the meaning of "freedom." Of course, freedom is not "freedom." If you act without thinking about your surroundings, there will be danger, right? "Freedom" that I think may be close to "autonomy". Because I can move by my own power, I control it firmly at my own risk. This image of "autonomy" is so that I can ride a bicycle for the first time. It's that feeling that makes me feel like I'm upset. Being guided by my curiosity and expanding my range of activities to the outside, there are various discoveries that I can feel with my five senses, and by repeating those discoveries. You can enjoy a rich life. I think so. "

When I was a kid, I felt like I could pedal with my own feet and go anywhere, that exciting feeling. I want everyone in the world to experience that mood. It may sound like a picture now, but we are moving forward step by step while drawing a path to achieve zero traffic fatalities.