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Corporate April 4, 2000 |
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| Honda has Completed New Advanced Safety Research Vehicles, as Part of the Honda ASV-2 |
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:
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The "Honda ASV-2" No. 1 model (automobile) is used for research into reduction of
strain as experienced by the driver. |
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The "Honda ASV-2" No. 2 model (automobile) is used for research into pedestrian
protection. |
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The "Honda ASV-2" No. 3 model (motorcycle) is used for research into active safety. |
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The "Honda ASV-2" No. 4 model (motorcycle) is used for research into passive
safety. |
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Honda considers safety to be one of the most important issues to be addressed when
manufacturing vehicles, and has divided safety into three categories.
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Primary safety concerns educating drivers about driving safety. |
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Secondary safety involves preventing accidents from occurring. |
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Tertiary safety concerns reducing the degree of injury caused in an accident. |
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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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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Summary of the operations of the 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.
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| 2. |
Discharge headligh
Compared with the conventional halogen lamp, this headlight distributes light with
higher luminosity to a larger area, thus greatly improving visibility.
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| 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.
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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.
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| 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.
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