Honda Motor will introduce a new car on Friday that features the world’s first accredited level 3 autonomous driving technology, paving the way for the auto industry to speed up efforts to commercialize such technology for passenger vehicles.
Industry analysts are waiting to see if the Legend, a luxury sedan that can run without driver supervision under some circumstances but allows the driver to take control of the vehicle within seconds when notified, can generate enough demand to pave the way for other manufacturers.
In November, Japan’s Ministry of Property, Housing, Transport, and Tourism approved the new model’s Traffic Jam Pilot scheme. It will help drivers avoid being stuck in congested traffic on a highway if they are traveling less than 50 kilometers per hour.
Using data from high-definition imaging and external sensors, the device automatically accelerates, brakes, and steers when tracking the vehicle’s surroundings.
Meanwhile, the driver can use the navigation screen to enjoy the vehicle’s infotainment, but must respond to the system’s request for a handover when the vehicle speeds up after the traffic jam clears.
Honda is treading cautiously when it comes to implementing this cutting-edge functionality. Only 100 units will be made, and they will only be available for lease. The price of the model is 11 million yen ($102,000).
