Mistakes that drivers make in operating their vehicle, or human error, include overlooking the dangers and/or incorrect operation of the vehicle due to a lack of driving experience, and other errors related to the declining functionality of elderly drivers and/or changes in drivers’ physical condition. If we can eliminate human error while driving, we can reduce the number of collisions.

While conducting research into ways to improve the dynamic performance of our vehicles, we looked at the relationship between factors that enable the driver to feel the advancement of vehicle performance and driving behavior. That is how we got into brain research. From there, we began studying the relationship between driving behavior and traffic collisions. In order to understand the underlying factors of various driving behavior, we began research into the relationship between human brain activity and human error, and evolved our research into the area of driver-assistive technologies that prevent human error.

Since there are individual differences in risk related to safe driving, sample driving data that can serve as a yardstick is necessary to assist all drivers. Therefore, we set up a risk-minimizing normative driving model based on the brain activity of drivers who drive safely.

The basic concept of "intelligent driver assistance" is to 1) take data on the driver's gaze movements (line of sight), driving operations and surrounding road traffic conditions, 2) compare them with the normative driving model, 3) estimate the driver's risk level, and 4) provide assistance to fill the gap between the normative driving model and their driving.

The AI system calculates the assistance the driver needs to match their driving to the normative driving model on a real-time basis. The normative driving model incorporates the risk-minimizing characteristics of the eyes, brain, limb use and movement, and the AI system assists the driver when there is a time delay or insufficient driver eye movements or driving operations.

Our intelligent driver assistance is not designed to correct the driving of high-risk drivers. The goal is to provide HMI* and operational assistance that enables drivers to feel as if their driving skill has improved. For example, the system enables the driver to spot pedestrians and other objects that were not visible to the driver, to start steering at the right time while turning the curve and to control the accelerator pedal at the right timing in consideration of vehicles merging into the same lane. We believe that this type of assistance will eliminate various levels of anxiety drivers feel about driving and prompt a positive desire to go out on the road.

＊Human machine interface: Means or devices for humans and machines to exchange information.

Using a driving simulator equipped with an AI system for intelligent driver assistance, we are conducting an experiment in which participants experience driver assistance. The system estimates the probability of human error based on the driver’s gaze movements, vehicle operation data and driving data. Based on the estimate, the system provides real-time assistance for the driver in accordance with the situation. The assistance provided through an intuitive HMI included “cognitive assist” such as showing a message on the Head-up Display or retracting the seatbelt as well as an “operational assist” such as assisting with steering operation and applying reactive force to the accelerator pedal.

Based on the results of driving simulator experiments with various participants, we are verifying and advancing our risk estimation and driving assistance methods. From here onward, we will verify our normative driving model by driving the actual vehicle on actual roads and making necessary updates to the normative model.

We have developed a test vehicle equipped with an AI system and a driver monitoring camera that monitors the direction of the driver’s gaze and facial orientation. This vehicle also features a special camera mounted on the top of the roof that monitors the surroundings of the vehicle.
Based on the information on the driver’s gaze movements, data on driving operations and vehicle behavior, the AI system estimates the risk level of the driving and provide driver assistance to bring the driving close to the normative driving model.

The HMI on this vehicle includes a LED indicator to alert the driver to look to the left and right, a seatbelt retractor and a three-dimensional audio system that enables the driver to feel auditory sensations that indicate the direction the danger is coming from. We are verifying and advancing the system by testing the driver assistance using the actual vehicle.

Our research into the relationship between driving and brain activity identified that drivers at high risk levels in terms of safe driving have a narrow field of vision and low spatial recognition capability. Also, we learned that human memory is another important factor in driving as people drive in a way that they believe will reduce risk in light of their memory and knowledge obtained from their past experiences.

Our intelligent driver assistance will enable drivers to recognize risks that they couldn’t see before and drive safely and smoothly, which gives them a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. When anxiety about driving is eliminated and driving brings the joy to each person, we believe that people will want to keep experiencing the joy and freedom of mobility. Based on this belief, we will utilize Honda’s existing global network for driving safety promotion activities and work with people who drive in the safest manner in each country to develop normative driving models tailored to the traffic conditions of each respective country around the world. In this way, Honda wants to make driving safe and with peace mind for each and every customer around the world.