autoevolution
 

Concept Cars of the Future – Honda Augmented Driving Brings Freedom and Control

Most automakers believe the future is fully autonomous and they’re working towards turning it into reality. On the other hand, today’s drivers don’t have enough faith in technology to trust it one hundred percent, showing reluctance at relinquishing control.
Honda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual driving 7 photos
Photo: Honda
Honda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual drivingHonda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual drivingHonda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual drivingHonda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual drivingHonda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual drivingHonda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual driving
Even if drivers trusted technology with their life, many of them would still not want to relinquish control of the car. After all, what good is a car if you can’t feel it properly by driving it?

Honda has a possible solution to this conundrum with a concept car demoed at CES 2020 in Las Vegas. It’s called Augmented Driving Concept and it’s literally the best of both worlds, combining automated driving with human operation in one seamless, fully enjoyable and safe experience.

The idea

The idea is simple: people want to have self-driving cars but at the same time, they don’t want to lose the ability to take over and drive themselves. This seem like an insurmountable paradox, but Honda’s suggestion is to put both inside the same car and then let the driver and tech decide which mode is suited for which occasion.

Honda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual driving
Photo: Honda
The concept shown at CES includes no less than 8 modes between semi-autonomous and fully autonomous, all of them accessible at the touch of a button, whenever the driver feels like it. For extra safety, though, the car’s AI will be able to decide when to take over, based on readings picked up by the sensors.

Honda believes drivers want independence but they also want to be able to have control over the machine. They want their freedom at the wheel, as well as the possibility to operate it. This is the best way of having your cake and eating it.

A seamless experience

So, when the driver feels like driving, they simply press the button and opt to take the wheel. Meanwhile, sensors continue to monitor the driver’s face, and the car switches to fully autonomous the very instant they pick up a distraction. In other words, if the driver gets caught up in admiring the scenery, the car takes over and does all the driving instead.

For extra safety, the steering wheel is deactivated for as long as the driver is not paying attention. Once the driver is done admiring the view, they can take over again in complete safety. This preserves the concept of driving, but adds a huge safety net to remove all risks of distracted driving through automation.

Honda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual driving
Photo: Martin S. Fuentes / dailymail.co.uk
“In an autonomous future this lets you still get that sensation of driving,” Jaymie Robinson from Honda told journos at CES. “Some people still really enjoy driving and don't want to fully give up that task.”

Reinventing the (steering) wheel

With this concept, Honda is also reinventing the wheel. It comes with a steering wheel that can move easily from side to side, basically allowing either occupant of the front seats to take over. Double-tapping on it starts the car.

Braking and accelerating are included in the steering wheel, as well. Braking can be achieved by pulling on it, while the car speeds up when the driver pushes the wheel away from the body. Sensors on the outer side of the wheel allow the driver to switch lanes in autonomous mode with a single swipe. Much like the swipe gesture you’ve perfected through continuous smartphone use.

Honda Augmented Driving Concept allows for both autonomous and manual driving
Photo: Honda
Eye-reading sensors are incorporated into the center of the steering wheel, and can serve as a screen for the speedometer when the car is in manual mode.

Gleaming into the distant future

Honda’s Augmented Driving Concept sounds like a lot of fun, in addition to bringing a solution to certain problems the industry is facing as regards autonomous driving. It’s only an idea for the time being, though, so don’t hold your breath for it just yet.

Moreover, Honda says that, for the concept to work, it would need a vehicle with Level 5 autonomy and we’re still to reach it.

Here’s a video from Honda showcasing the concept. Funny how they even thought of putting a futuristic-looking bracelet on the driver but couldn’t bother to give her a better camera to shoot pictures with.

If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Elena Gorgan
Elena Gorgan profile photo

Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories