Activities and Technology Development to Adapt to an Ever-Changing Traffic Environment

The traffic ecosystem is a dynamic concept where people and mobility interact to create a seamless flow of traffic. Traffic conditions are ever-changing due to factors like weather, tourist season congestion, and rush hour jams. Honda believes that to prevent accidents in these varying conditions, it is crucial to develop technologies and programs that enable smooth interactions among traffic participants, considering their movements and circumstances. These efforts not only safeguard individuals’ physical safety but also enhance the overall quality of society. Honda envisions a society where people can move freely, driven by both safety and a sense of warmth and humanity that inspires movement. Rather than relying solely on autonomous technology, Honda aims to foster safety by enhancing the inherent mutual respect among traffic participants. By harnessing people’s intentions and encouraging cooperation, Honda aspires to create a safer society. The traffic ecosystem Honda envisions includes all traffic participants—motorcycles, automobiles, bicycles, urban mobility, and people of all ages—working together to make traffic smoother and safer. In the future, ensuring the safety of all traffic participants, including vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists, will become increasingly important.
Honda will continue to enhance its connected technologies and focus on Safe and Sound Network Technology to address these needs. This technology assesses drivers’ risks, such as decreased concentration, and detects early signs of accidents. The detected risks are then communicated to surrounding traffic participants, helping them prepare and respond before risks materialize. This approach allows all traffic participants to pay attention to each other’s movements, take coordinated actions, and prevent accidents before they occur.

---

History

In 1998, Honda began offering Internavi, a car navigation system equipped with a communication function that supported safe driving by utilizing driving data collected from vehicles. Later, Honda analyzed the emergency braking data obtained from the Internavi system and developed the SAFETY MAP service on the Honda website to provide information on areas of high accident frequency in advance, and later developed the Honda Drive Data Service, which displayed danger areas on a map in real timehelping to solve social issues such as disaster prevention and traffic accident prevention. In 2020, Honda began applying Honda CONNECT, an exclusive in-vehicle communication module, to its new cars, providing services that made the driving experience more secure and comfortable. These efforts are also being deployed outside of Japan in accordance with regional circumstances.

---

Main Technologies and Activities

Toward 2030, transportation infrastructure will be further developed as the proliferation and evolution of communication terminals such as smart phones and IoT-enabled equipment and mobility progresses. Along with the development of infrastructure, Honda will continue its research and development, and activities optimized for traffic safety.

---

Toward the Future
Safe and Secure Network

This technology assesses drivers’ risks, such as decreased concentration, and detects early signs of accidents. The detected risks are then communicated to surrounding traffic participants, helping them prepare and respond before risks materialize. This approach allows all traffic participants to pay attention to each other’s movements, take coordinated actions, and prevent accidents before they occur.

Safe and Sound Network Technology

＜three core elements＞The Safe and Sound Network Technology consists of three core elements: “Understanding Human Characteristics,” “Prediction and Anticipation,” and “Collaborative Communication.” Currently, research and development are progressing in each of these areas.

• Understanding Human Characteristics

• By using technologies such as vital sensing to monitor the driver’s condition in real-time, the impact on driving behavior is statistically analyzed, and specific risk factors are systematically identified.

• Prediction and Anticipation

• Utilizing Digital Twin technology and comprehensive risk assessment algorithms, predictions and forecasts of traffic accidents are made.

• Collaborative Communication

• This technology promotes the understanding of latent risks so that traffic participants can prepare before accidents occur.

＜Demonstration experiment＞Participation in Demonstration Experiments through Industry-GovernmentAcademia Collaboration for Smooth Social Implementation Various verifications are being conducted to ensure the smooth implementation of the Safe and Secure Network Technology into our society.

• Project with Cabinet Office

• In October 2023, we participated in the “Strategic Innovation Creation Program (SIP) Phase 3 / Construction of the Smart Mobility Platform / Research and Development for Supporting Prevention of Traffic Accidents through Pre-Notification of Risks.” This initiative includes planning use-case verification needed to prevent traffic accidents and ensure the safety of vulnerable road users.

• Projects with local governments

• In October 2023, we joined efforts in a local government initiative aimed at creating a smart city by utilizing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in various fields to address regional issues and enhance the convenience of citizens' lives, while also planning to verify social acceptance.

• Projects with companies

• In June 2024, we started a collaboration with SoftBank Corporation and participate in the Road-Vehicle Coordination Demonstration Experiment for the Autonomous Driving Era on the Shin-Tomei Expressway, conducted by Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited, to carry out use-case verification.

The goal for Safe and Secure Network Technology is to standardize it by the late 2020s and globally deploy it starting from 2030.

---