| Honda has developed the world's first Intelligent
Night Vision System, which uses "far infrared" cameras to detect
pedestrians in or approaching the vehicle's path and provides the driver
visual and audio cautions to help prevent accidents involving pedestrians.
The new system will be available on the Honda Legend to be released in
Japan this autumn.
The Intelligent Night Vision System uses images obtained from
two far infrared cameras positioned in the lower section of the front
bumper to detect the position and movement of infrared heat-emitting objects
and determine whether they are in or approaching the vehicle's path. Based
on size and shape, the system also determines if the detected object is
a pedestrian. In addition to the conventional night vision function of
giving the driver an enhanced view of the road ahead, the system is the
world's first to provide cautions that inform the driver of the presence
of pedestrians that are on the road or about to cross the vehicle's path.
Pedestrian fatalities make up approximately 30 per cent of all traffic
accident fatalities in Japan *. In its ongoing efforts to reach a better
understanding of the kinematics of pedestrian accidents and to develop
technologies to protect pedestrians, Honda developed the world's first
pedestrian dummy, POLAR I, in 1988. This was followed by POLAR II in 2000,
which features an even more human-like structure and more points of measurement.
Honda places a high priority on the development of new pedestrian safety
technologies. Given that 70 per cent of all pedestrian fatalities are
said to occur at night, the independently developed Intelligent Night
Vision System addresses a vital problem. Honda is committed to the further
development of technologies designed to help prevent accidents involving
pedestrians.
*Source: ITARDA (Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis)
traffic statistics, 2003
Intelligent Night Vision System Configuration
- Far infrared camera
The camera obtains a visual image based on the "far infrared" radiation emitted by humans and other objects. Because it uses far infrared radiation, it is capable of obtaining a viable image without the use of a light source, as is required by visible-light or "near infrared" cameras.
- Heads-up display
The image is reflected in a mirror positioned on top of the dashboard, which retracts into the dashboard for daytime stowage.
- Pedestrian detecting ECU
The ECU determines pedestrian position and motion based on the image from the cameras, along with vehicle speed and other vehicle information. The system detects pedestrians in or approaching the vehicle’s path, and provides caution to the driver via a visual enhancement frame around the pedestrian image and an audio caution.
- Sensors
Headlight on/off information, windscreen wiper setting, yaw rate, vehicle speed, ambient temperature.
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