Honda has developed the world’s first ‘intelligent’ night vision system, which uses 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 in fall 2004. 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.

In another development Honda revealed it has produced a pop-up bonnet system for pedestrian safety, which raises the engine cover in the event of a collision with a pedestrian to reduce the possibility of a serious impact to the pedestrian’s head region by providing added engine compartment clearance.

The pop-up bonnet uses three sensors located inside the front bumper and a vehicle speed sensor to determine if an impact with a pedestrian has occurred, then the rear portion of the bonnet is raised approximately 10cm. This provides a space between the cover, the engine and other hard components to reduce pedestrian head injuries.