Tokyo, April 4, 2000 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that new advanced safety research vehicles, to be utilized in the Honda ASV-2, have been completed. These vehicles represent the second stage of the ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) project, which was proposed by the ministry of transport in 1991. The first stage test vehicles were completed in 1995. This latest stage involves motorcycles as well as automobiles and is based on refinements and applications of safety technologies developed during the initial stage. Honda will undertake research and development utilizing these vehicles with the aim of bringing each of the technologies closer to practical applications.
Honda set the following three major technical targets for the Honda ASV-2:
"Reduction of strain as experienced by the driver"
"Pedestrian Protection"
"Reduction of damage"
The vehicles developed during this second stage and their respective research focus is as follows:
- The "Honda ASV-2" No. 1 model (automobile) is used for research into reduction of strain as experienced by the driver.
- The "Honda ASV-2" No. 2 model (automobile) is used for research into pedestrian protection.
- The "Honda ASV-2" No. 3 model (motorcycle) is used for research into active safety.
- The "Honda ASV-2" No. 4 model (motorcycle) is used for research into passive safety.
Honda ASV-2
Honda considers safety to be one of the most important issues to be addressed when manufacturing vehicles, and has divided safety into three categories.
- Primary safety concerns educating drivers about driving safety.
- Secondary safety involves preventing accidents from occurring.
- Tertiary safety concerns reducing the degree of injury caused in an accident.
Outline of the motorcycle and automobile communication system in the Honda ASV-2
Taking advantage of know-how gathered through the development of motorcycles and automobiles, the Honda ASV-2 features a motorcycle and automobile information communication system, which enables two-way communication between motorcycles and automobiles, thus realizing mutually high levels of attention to safety from both parties.
The most frequently occurring accidents involving both motorcycles and automobiles are those where both vehicles suddenly encounter each other at a corner, or situations where an automobile turning to the right collides with an oncoming motorcycle. These accidents are mainly due to the automobile driver's misjudgment of the distance from the motorcycle or the motorcycle's speed due to its smaller size.
The newly developed communication system heightens the driver's awareness of motorcycles and likewise makes riders more conscious of automobiles. This mutually heightened awareness will help to prevent accidents occurring under the circumstances mentioned above.
The communication system installed in the motorcycle and automobile transmits information between them regarding the type of vehicle, its position, speed, direction, etc., and emits a warning signal or a verbal message as required to the driver and rider.
Outline of the Honda ASV-2 No. 1 model (automobile)
Technologies adopted in this vehicle are designed to reduce the amount of effort required during driving, in order to reduce driver fatigue. The resulting alertness will help prevent a decline in the driver's grasp of the situation as well as judgment and thus prevent accidents caused by driver absentmindedness, such as rear-end collisions.
Technologies applied
- 1.In-lane driving control and lane center deviation warning
On a highway, a CCD camera installed on the vehicle detects the lane markings and assists the driver in the optimum steering movement in order to keep the car centered in its lane. If the vehicle starts to stray out of its lane, the system will issue a warning for the driver to take corrective action. - 2.Control of a car's speed and the distance between a vehicle ahead and adaptive cruise control function when following heavy traffic
The system exercises optimal speed control over the car with respect to the vehicle ahead in the same lane. When the distance to the vehicle ahead becomes too small or traffic congestion occurs, the car is initially decelerated by throttle and brake control, to reduce the car's speed. The car may also be automatically stopped if required. - 3.Collision speed reduction system
When the distance to the vehicle ahead is insufficient or the vehicle is about to collide, the system issues a warning while simultaneously applying the brakes to assist the driver's response. When the system judges that a collision is inevitable, it applies the emergency braking force to assist the driver's braking action in order to reduce the damage caused by the collision.
ASV-2 No. 1 model
Outline of the Honda ASV-2 No. 2 model (automobile)
This vehicle's technology was developed from the standpoint of protecting pedestrians in a traffic accident, by helping to predict and prevent accidents. This is made possible by improving visibility at crossings and providing drivers with necessary information so that pedestrians can easily be identified at crossings at night. In addition, the motorcycle and automobile information communication system, which contributes to the prevention of accidents involving both automobiles and motorcycles, is adopted.
Technologies applied
- 1.Motorcycle and automobile information communication system
This system enables the exchange of information between automobiles and motorcycles through a wireless communication system, with regard to the vehicle type, speed, direction, position, and other information, and notifies the driver via a windshield display, warning or verbal message, thus preventing the driver from misjudging the situation. - 2.Honda night vision system
This system detects pedestrians who cannot otherwise be easily identified at night, and provides the driver with an infrared processed image on the lower windshield as well as a warning. - 3.Active headlights
When a vehicle enters a curve or intersection, the system illuminates a wide area ahead of the vehicle. The headlights will automatically illuminate the appropriate area by changing the reflection angle of its reflectors respective to the direction that the vehicle is traveling, thereby improving visibility.
Honda ASV-2 No. 2 model
Outline of the Honda ASV-2 No. 3 model (motorcycle)
This motorcycle is equipped with technologies for predicting and preventing accidents between motorcycles and automobiles by offering the rider necessary information. A headlight, which improves visibility, air pressure sensors and tires that are resistant to punctures are utilized.
Technologies applied
- 1.Motorcycle and automobile information communication system
This system enables wireless communication between motorcycles and automobiles and notifies the rider of the distance from the automobile, through a display on the windshield or by giving a warning or a verbal message. - 2.Discharge headligh
Compared with the conventional halogen lamp, this headlight distributes light with higher luminosity to a larger area, thus greatly improving visibility. - 3.Tires highly resistant to punctures, and air pressure sensors
Newly shaped tubeless tires include a special internal double-walled structure. Fluid for preventing the tires from going flat when punctures develop adds to improved resilience. Air pressure sensors installed on both the front and rear wheels indicate the air pressure. If the air pressure decreases, the sensors notify the rider.
Honda ASV-2 No. 3 model
Summary of the operations of the Honda ASV-2 No.3 model
Outline of the Honda ASV-2 No. 4 model (motorcycle)
Honda, through the use of this vehicle, has carried out research into safety assurance technologies in the event of a frontal collision. The vehicle is equipped with an airbag, and an impact-absorbing helmet has been developed.
Technologies applied
- 1.Motorcycle airbag
This airbag absorbs the impact energy directed at the rider in the case of a frontal collision. It reduces the speed that the rider is thrown from the motorcycle, thus significantly helping to reduce the chance of injury to the rider should s/he fall on the road surface or collide with another object. - 2.Impact absorbing helmet
Research has also been carried out into a new structure for a helmet that will reduce the degree of injury even when the rider's head suffers strong impacts.
Honda ASV-2 No. 4 model
Airbag on the motorcycle