Honda is demonstrating several new advances in intelligent transportation technology at the 2014 ITS World Congress, including automated freeway merging, exiting and lane changing.

The automaker is also showcasing a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) “virtual tow” capability for assisting a driver in distress, along with such V2X technologies as vehicle-to-pedestrian/bicycle (V2P/B) and vehicle-to-motorcycle (V2M) applications. The 2014 ITS World Congress, which got under way Sept. 7, continues through Sept. 11 in Detroit.  

Honda’s V2V "virtual tow" application allows a driver to assist another driver in distress. The driver in trouble first alerts surrounding vehicles about the need for help. Then an assisting driver can virtually link up and "tow" the vehicle to a location where the driver can receive emergency services, such as a hospital. The trailing vehicle takes its driving cues from the lead vehicle via connected-car (V2V) technology and an automated system.

“The creation and deployment of advanced, intelligent transportation systems represent the new frontier in the effort to one day eliminate traffic collisions, injuries and fatalities,” said Frank Paluch, president of Honda R&D Americas Inc. “We will demonstrate our vision for realizing Honda’s dream of a collision-free society by showcasing our continued technological innovations in active safety, connected and automated vehicle technology.”

The pursuit of a collision-free society is part of Honda’s global safety concept of ‘Safety for Everyone’ and the company’s efforts to use technology to improve protection for automobile occupants, motorcycle riders, pedestrians and other road users.

Honda is already deploying advanced driver-assist and early-stage automated driving technologies, such as lane departure warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control with low-speed follow, a collision mitigation braking system and road departure mitigation.

The company’s newest offering, the 2015 Acura TLX performance luxury sedan, uses the cooperative sensing of monocular camera and millimeter-wave radar systems to provide for higher fidelity road sensing and collision mitigation capabilities, including pedestrian detection, steering assist and autonomous emergency braking.

Honda’s automated driving demonstration at ITS World Congress starts at the Atwater parking facility behind the Renaissance Center and proceeds along a prescribed eight-mile loop on public freeways. The V2X technology demonstration takes place on Belle Isle. Free shuttle transportation between these locations and the Cobo Hall exhibit space is provided by the ITS World Congress.