The studies to be performed should lead to some very interesting solutions.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Oct. 20, 2012
Honda’s 6-degrees of freedom Accord based safety sim.
Prior to discussing the sim, let’s talk about the all-new ninth generation 2013 Accords standard and class exclusive safety features that few others can match and in some cases do not even come close.
Finally a rearview camera is standard on all 2013 Honda Accords no matter the trim chosen. The Accord LX, Sport and EX models feature a single-angle "Normal View" display, while EX-L and Touring models have a multi-angle rearview camera with three viewing angles (wide view, normal view and top view). Drivers may select the preferred view according to driving conditions. The rearview image is displayed on the 8-inch color i-MID display, or on the navigation system display on models equipped with navigation. All rearview camera systems feature distance guidelines.
And that class-exclusive safety feature? It is called “LaneWatch Blind Spot Display”. The new system display is standard on Accord EX, EX-L and Touring Sedan models, and on EX-L Coupe. It uses a camera positioned below the passenger-side exterior mirror to display a wide-angle view of the passenger side roadway on the intelligent Multi-Information Display (i- MID). The image appears when the right turn signal is activated, or when a button on the end of the turn signal stalk is pressed.
The typical field of view for a passenger-side mirror is approximately 18- to 22-degrees, but the LaneWatch blind spot display field-of-view is about four times greater, or approximately 80-degrees. The system helps the driver to see traffic, as well as pedestrians or objects, in the vehicle’s blind spot. To help make judging distance easier, the display has three reference lines. Drivers are encouraged to visually confirm roadway conditions prior to changing lanes.
On navigation-equipped models, when LaneWatch is in use and a navigation turn prompt is needed, the image changes to split-screen so that LaneWatch and navigation information can be displayed simultaneously. LaneWatch can also be customized to suit the driver’s preferences. Turn-signal activation of the LaneWatch system can be turned on or off, as can the three on-screen reference lines. Screen brightness, contrast and black level are also adjustable.
In practice it is simply the best available and a system others will surely mimic if not protected under patent. It is that good!
Honda’s new Distracted Driving Sim
Thursday Honda R&D joined with officials from The Ohio State University in commissioning the University's new Driving Simulator Laboratory, designed to support advanced research into issues of driver distraction and other factors impacting driver behavior and road safety.
The new laboratory was co-developed by Honda R&D Americas and The Ohio State University Office of Research and was funded in part by Honda R&D Americas, which will conduct research at the facility.
This is not your Dad’s driving sim
The facility's main simulator features a full cab mounted to a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform, and a 240-degree wrap-around projection screen with high-resolution, edge-blended visuals designed to simulate a wide variety of driving situations with a high degree of realism. A second simulator is optimized for the testing of production vehicles.
According to Honda, the new lab is designed to enable next-generation research into driver behavior. Biometric sensors measure factors such as blood pressure, heart rate, eye movement and galvanic skin response, along with respiration, heart and blink rates, allowing Honda researchers to gauge the psychological and physiological state of the driver in varying conditions.
Look Mom, it’s floating
I wonder what our blood pressure plot looks like after a high speed pulse into a stale green ends in a Red before we are ever close? Not quite the distracted driving scenario they probably thought of but it would be interesting nonetheless
Linear Mode
