Honda has been pursuing safety with an eye on real-world situations. The technologies have been developed at every stage, from passive safety technologies in the event of an accident to active safety technologies to prevent an accident and pre-crash safety.
Honda SENSING is a safety driving assist system developed based on the external recognition technologies Honda has amassed in the development of a broad range of safety technologies. The system recognizes the surroundings in front, on the side and behind the vehicle and assists the driver in achieving safe and comfortable driving and avoiding collisions.
(Announced in 2014)
System configuration
Honda SENSING uses a front wide view camera with a wide horizontal view, which detects objects in a broader area including the areas diagonally in front of the vehicle. Front and rear sonar sensors detect various objects, including glass to assist the driver in ensuring safety while parking.
Depending on the launch timing and model, Honda SENSING may be equipped with a front sensing camera and millimeter-wave radar.
Image of the control
The system use the information on external conditions obtained by each sensor to recognize, predict and make decisions to assist safe driving.
Overview of each function
Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
The system detects vehicles and pedestrians ahead. When there is the risk of a collision, the system alerts the driver with audible warnings as well as visual warnings on the display. When the vehicle comes closer to the object, the system applies light brake pressure. If the system determines that a collision is imminent, it applies stronger brake pressure to assist the driver in avoiding a collision and mitigating the damage.
Collision Mitigation Throttle Control
When the vehicle is stopped or moving forward at a low speed of 10km/h or less, and the system detects an obstacle ahead, if the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the system prevents sudden start/acceleration. For example, when the system detects obstacles such as walls within a short distance, and the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the system prevents sudden acceleration and alerts the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings on the display.
Rear Collision Mitigation Throttle Control
When the vehicle is stopped or moving backward at a low speed of 10km/h or less, and the system detects an obstacle directly behind the vehicle, if the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the system prevents sudden start/acceleration and alerts the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings on the display.
Low Speed Brake Function
When the vehicle is moving forward or backward at a low speed within the range of approximately 2km/h to 10km/h, and the front or rear bumper sensors detect an obstacle and there is the risk of a collision, the system controls the brake and assists the driver in avoiding the collision and mitigating the damage from the collision.
Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Steering System
If the vehicle departs the lane toward pedestrians (a sidewalk) and there is the risk of a collision with pedestrians, the system alerts the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings on the display. In addition, the system assists with steering input to urge the driver to take collision avoidance actions.
Road Departure Mitigation System
The system detects the pavement marking and if the vehicle is straying off the road/lane, the system alerts the driver with visual warnings on the display as well as vibrations on the steering wheel and applies corrective steering input to bring the vehicle back in the lane.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
When the vehicle comes close to a vehicle ahead, the system measures the distance and speed gap from the vehicle ahead and automatically controls acceleration and deceleration to follow the vehicle ahead while maintaining an appropriate distance. When the Low-Speed Follow function is available, if the vehicle ahead stops, the system automatically stops the ACC-equipped vehicle. When the vehicle ahead resumes moving, the vehicle resumes following when the driver operates the switch or depresses the accelerator pedal.
Lane Keeping Assist System
While driving on an expressway (highway), the system detects the pavement markings (solid lines, broken lines) and assists with steering input to keep the vehicle in the middle of the lane, reducing driver burden.
Traffic Jam Assist
While driving on an expressway at a low speed, the system assists with steering input to keep the vehicle in the middle of the lane, reducing driver burden.
Lead Car Departure Notification System
When the vehicle is stopped, for example, while waiting at a red light, the system alerts the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings on the display when the vehicle ahead resumes moving if the driver does not depress the accelerator.
Traffic Sign Recognition System
The system recognizes and displays traffic sign information at the appropriate timing to call the driver’s attention to the traffic signs and assist safe driving.
Auto High-Beam
While driving with low beam on a dark road such as at night-time, the system detects the situation ahead and automatically switches to high beam on no street lights dark roads. When the system detects preceding or oncoming vehicle, it is automatically switched to low beam.
Adaptive Driving Beam
While driving with low beam on a dark road such as at night-time, the system detects the situation ahead and automatically switches to high beam on no street lights dark roads.
When the system detects preceding or oncoming vehicle, the system automatically controls the lighting area of the headlights to secure good visibility for the driver without glare to other drivers.
Parking Sensor System
The sensors on the vehicle detect obstacles in vicinity, and the system alerts the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings on the display that indicate the distance from the obstacles.
Unintended Acceleration Mitigation
Based on how much and how fast the driver depresses the accelerator pedal, the system identifies unintended acceleration. The system suspends acceleration and notifies the driver with audible warnings and visual warnings on the display.
(Available as a dealer option)
Blind Spot Information System
The system detects cars in the vehicle’s rear-quarter blind spots and notifies the driver by lighting up the indicator on/near the vehicle’s side mirror on the side where the car is detected. If the driver puts the turn signal in that direction, the indicator flashes and an audible alarm sounds to alert the driver.
Cross Traffic Monitor
When the vehicle is backing out of a garage/parking space, the system detects other vehicles approaching from the left and right sides behind the vehicle. The system notifies the driver of the direction the other vehicle is approaching with an audible warning and the indicator on the center display.
Honda Parking Pilot
The system assists the driver to achieve smooth parking including parallel parking and exiting from a parking space by automatically controlling the steering, acceleration, braking and gear shifting. The system displays how the vehicle moves and the vehicle’s surroundings.
※ The driver must operate the brake to adjust vehicle speed as needed.
[Video] Honda SENSING functions introduction
＜Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) and Road Departure Mitigation System＞
[Video] Honda SENSING functions image ＜Selected functions＞
■ Honda SENSING is a driver-assistive system, so there is a limit to the capabilities (e.g. recognition capability and control capability) of their individual functions. Please do not overestimate the capabilities of each function and drive safely while paying constant attention to the vehicle’s surroundings.
Each system may not work or may not perform adequately depending on road conditions, weather conditions and vehicle conditions. Some Honda SENSING technologies are not available in certain countries and regions. Depending on the launch timing and vehicle model, the functions described on this page may differ from those installed to the customer's vehicle. Please refer to the owner's manual for actual functions installed to particular vehicles.
