The Japanese government called the move “world first” and said it would make Honda the first manufacturer and sell the next level of self-driving vehicles. Other driver assistance systems, such as Tesla (TSLA)Op topilot and General Motors’ (G.M.) Supercrises are Level 2 systems, meaning they can control the speed and steering of a vehicle, but still require the driver to be alert and ready to intervene. Level 3 systems only require driver attention in special circumstances.
Honda said in a statement on Wednesday that it had received approval from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The company plans to start selling legends equipped with its system before the end of March 2021.
The car industry has adopted six levels of automatic driving, which indicates how much assistance the vehicle provides. Currently, there are no mass-produced cars available at Level 3, although some automakers are testing more sophisticated Level 4 technology vehicles that are capable of driving most of the vehicles themselves, although they may be limited in certain areas. Level 5 mation tomation, in which the control of the natural vehicle can be guaranteed for virtually every situation and eliminates the need for a steering wheel, is considered the ultimate goal of self-driving cars.
U.S. According to the Department of Transportation, in the United States, “there is currently no vehicle available for sale that is ‘self-driving’.” “Every vehicle currently for sale in the United States always requires the driver’s full attention for safe operation,” the agency said on its website.
Honda’s system, called the “Traffic Jam Pilot”, will only take driving in certain scenarios, such as when the vehicle is in traffic. [expressways], ”The company stressed in a statement.
But Japan hopes this is just the beginning, especially as the country seeks an edge in the global self-driving car race.
The Japanese ministry said automated driving cars are expected to play a major role in solving various social challenges in Japan, such as reducing self-inflicted traffic accidents, transport safety of the elderly and improving productivity in the transport sector.
Japan hopes to lead the world in the field of autonomous driving and promote the use of that technology.
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