Aside from traditional motor shows, carmakers are now attending tech shows in force to preview what’s coming, especially in the realm of connectivity and autonomous driving.
Honda is no exception and they’re making the trek to the Consumer Electronics Expo (CES) this January to show their vision of autonomous vehicles. And while they’re saving the full details for the show proper, they’ve given the world a tease—meet the Augmented Driving Concept.
Made to address the cultural transition to autonomous vehicles, Honda’s Augmented Driving Concept features a seamless transition from autonomous to semi-autonomous driving operation. To respond quickly to the user’s curiosity, the autonomous driving system is constantly on standby, ready to intervene and control the vehicle when needed. The driving system changes between automatic and manual mode with a switch, and features more than eight modes between fully autonomous and semi-autonomous operation. Various sensors in the vehicle continuously read the user’s intention to smoothly shift between these modes, creating an instinctive driving experience.
Additionally, the concept will literally reinvent the steering wheel. By patting the steering wheel twice, the vehicle will start. Pull the steering wheel and the vehicle will slow down; push the steering wheel and the vehicle will accelerate.
Honda believes that customers will be able to enjoy mobility in new ways when freed from the responsibility of driving. However, some customers may still want to experience the emotion and thrill of driving—and in these cases, they have a two-in-one solution in the Augmented Driving Concept.
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