What They Say
Nikkei reports that Honda will release a ‘Traffic Jam Pilot’ in its flagship Legend model in March this year – a move up to Level 3 automation, whereas Tesla’s AutoPilot and Cadillac’s Super Cruise are at Level 2. This has been enabled by new legislation in Japan, which puts the country ahead of others in allowing autonomous driving. Mercedes Benz is expected to bring Level 3 automation to the S Class later this year.
The Honda technology will operate up to 50kph, less than the legal limit of 60kph although the article said that the ministry is working on higher speed operations for motorway use.
What We Think
This article highlights the importance of legislation and politics in industrial development. Japan is typically quite conservative in automotive legislation, but by getting the government to change the law to allow Level 3 driving, local makers will get some advantage by having easier and cheaper access to test their technology.
Level 3 means more opportunity for drivers to use displays more extensively in cars and cars that can support it will need and can exploit better displays although Honda is still emphasising the use of the car’s systems for, for example, making phone calls. (BR)
