Honda Aims For Zero Traffic Deaths By 2050 With Help From AI

Amid heightened competition to develop accident-prevention systems, Honda Motor Co. set a goal of reducing the number of fatal crashes involving its vehicles to zero by 2050, Junichi Kamiyama reported for Asahi Shimbun.

Photo Insert: Utilizing AI and communications technologies, Honda strives to realize a society where everyone can enjoy the freedom of mobility with total peace of mind.

The automaker said Nov. 25 that it is developing an artificial intelligence-powered system for installment in new vehicles in the latter half of the 2020s. It said the first goal with the AI system is to halve the number of fatal accidents by 2030 compared with the figure in 2020.

The AI system will analyze the road situation and the driver’s condition through information captured by sensors and cameras. It will immediately alert the driver to any potential accidents, Honda said.

For example, when the driver seems oblivious to a motorcycle approaching from behind, the system emits a warning sound from a speaker behind the driver. It will also vibrate the backrest to rouse drivers when their eyes show signs of drowsiness.

The AI system will learn and accumulate driving data to help control steering and speed if the car staggers from side to side or when it detects more delays in the driver’s operations than usual.

Honda said the system is expected to prevent accidents caused by elderly drivers who are often unaware of their failing driving skills.

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