Technology overview
When the vehicle is in congested traffic on an expressway the system takes over driving the vehicle from the driver.
While driving on an expressway, if the vehicle gets caught in traffic congestion, under certain conditions, the system takes control of acceleration, braking and steering while monitoring the vehicle’s surroundings on behalf of the driver. Without the need to operate the vehicle to follow the vehicle in front, stop and resume driving, the driver can watch television/DVD on the navigation screen or operate the navigation system to search/set a destination. The Traffic Jam Pilot function helps mitigate driver fatigue and stress while driving in a traffic jam.
*When the system issues handover requests, the driver must take over the driving.
How Traffic Jam Pilot technology works
The system detects the vehicle’s surroundings in a 360-degree range with a suite of external recognition sensors consisting of a number of cameras, radar and LIDAR sensors. The system receives high-precision GNSS*1 information from the antenna and integrates it with high-definition maps received from the map unit (MPU) and information from the vehicle's sensors to determine the vehicle position.
The driver monitoring camera assesses the driver's facial orientation, eye opening and closing status, and whether or not the driver is moving, to determine if the driver is in a condition to respond to the system’s handover requests. Based on this information, the system activates to offer smooth driver assistance through advanced control of the accelerator, brake, and steering.
*1 GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System
What does Traffic Jam Pilot Technology do
Step 1
While driving using the In Lane Driving function with Hands-off Capability, when the vehicle gets caught in traffic congestion, the system notifies the driver of the activation of the Traffic Jam Pilot using information display in the meter, an audio warning and indicator lights and takes control of the vehicle.
Traffic Jam Pilot is activated.
Please pay attention to the area around the meters.
Step 2
While driving through traffic congestion, the system will drive, stop and resume driving the vehicle in the same lane, while maintaining a proper following distance in accordance with the speed of the vehicle in front. The driver will be able to watch television/DVD on the navigation screen.
Hands-off, Eyes-off
Step 3
When the traffic congestion is cleared, the system notifies the driver of a handover request. When the driver begins operating the vehicle, the Traffic Jam Pilot will switch to the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), and the system offers driver assistance in acceleration and braking to maintain the preset following distance.
Traffic Jam Pilot is deactivated.
Please begin operating the vehicle.
Honda Safety Commitment
Under the slogan “Safety for Everyone,” Honda is striving to realize a collision-free society for everyone sharing the road. To this end, Honda is committed to the continuous advancement of safety and driver-assistive technologies. Traffic Jam Pilot is one of the breakthrough functions included in the Honda SENSING Elite, an advanced variation of Honda SENSING.
Among the five levels of automated driving the Japanese government has categorized and defined*2, Traffic Jam Pilot qualifies for Level 3 automated driving. Level 3 automated driving is a highly complex technology, which involves handing over of primary responsibility of controlling the vehicle between the system and the driver.
While making progress in the research into Level 4 automated driving, Honda is committed to the development of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies to enable more drivers to enjoy driving with greater peace of mind.
*2 Based on the definition (J3016) of SAE International (The U.S.-based Council of Automotive Engineers).
