Advanced Safety Vehicle (AVS)

What if vehicle could talk? And what if they could think and react too?

Vehicles that can talk and react, sound like science fiction doesn't it? Well, it exists and it's called Advance Safety Vehicles (AVS). Although these vehicles couldn't really talk like we human do, however they could communicate with each other.

Honda Odyssey with ASV-4 (Equipped with a state-of-the-art Multi-view Camera System), Honda Forza 250 ASV-4 (Equipped with Heads-Up Display, Communication Helmet and Haptic Seat) and IT Monpal 4 (with Longitudinal Oriented Normative temporal Gap (LONG) design.)

The ASV project began way back in April 1991 as a joint collaboration between Honda Motor Co. and Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

These ASVs were designed by Honda engineers to exchange speed and positional information and other data between vehicles or between a vehicle and an electric cart (vehicle-to-vehicle communications), as well as between the vehicle and road infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure communications), in order to provide the drivers with information which may help to prevent fatal traffic accidents.

Honda ASVs are equipped with HMI (Human Machine Interface) technology, which utilize communications infrastructure to effectively convey information to the driver on the presence of small motorcycles and electric carts and other vehicles obscured by buildings or sharp curve motorways that would be difficult to detect based only on the use of independent on-board sensors.

The Multi-view Cameras System which was designed to help a driver observe blind spots when parking and driving through a three-way intersection or narrow road are located in the front and rear of the vehicle as well as on it's side mirrors, provides the Honda Odyssey driver with a full 360 degree view via the vehicle's navigation screen.

How ASV Helps Save Lives?

Now in its fourth phase, a number of advanced safety systems found in today's Honda vehicles - such as the Intelligent Night Vision, Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) and Honda Intelligent Driver Support (HiDS) were the result of the ASV program.

These safety system which was introduced in the ASV program were improvised and later Incorporated in Honda vehicles with the goal of providing 'Safety for Everyone' .

Intelligent Night Vision

Using the "far infrared" wide-angle cameras positioned in the lower section of the vehicle's front bumper, the world's first Intelligent Night Vision system which able to detect pedestrians that approach or are in the vehicle's path based on human body heat. It also able to determine the pedestrian's shape and size, a visual and audio is sounded to alert the driver of the pedestrian's presence. This system was made available on the Honda Legend, released in Japan in 2004.

Honda Intelligent Driver Support

Honda developed the Honda Intelligent Driver Support (HiDS) to help relieve driver stress. It includes the Intelligent Highway Cruise Control (IHCC), which automatically maintains a safe distance from the vehicle ahead, and the Lane-Keeping Assist System (LKAS) that prevent lane departure. HiDS was made available in the 7th generation Honda Accord and Accord Wagon, launched in Japan, in 2002.

Collision Mitigation Brake System

Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMS) is able to predict rear-end collisions and assist brake operation so as to minimise the effect inflicted on occupants and the vehicle.

By determining the like hood of a collision occurring based on driving condition, distance to the vehicle ahead and relative speeds, the system uses audio and visual warnings to prompt the diver to take preventive action. It also automatically initiates brake to help reduce the vehicle's speed further. This system was integrated into the 2003 Honda Inspire, together with the E-Pretensioner system, which retracts the seat belt in anticipation of an impact.