
Japan-based Honda Motor Co Ltd. on November 11 said it will be the world’s first automaker to mass-produce level 3 autonomous cars. The step will allow drivers to let their vehicles navigate congested expressway traffic. The company has received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT). The company will be able to produce level 3*1 automated cars.
The company shared information about its automated vehicle saying “Honka is planning to launch sales of a Honda Legend equipped with the newly approved automated driving equipment (“Traffic Jam Pilot”) before the end of the current fiscal year (ending March 31, 2021).” This comes after Japan’s government earlier in the day awarded a safety certification to Honda’s autonomous “Traffic Jam Pilot” driving technology.
The company’s press release also mentions the amendment of the Road vehicle act by the government. “To promote the commercialization of Level 3 automated vehicles, the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (MLIT) partially amended the Road Vehicle Act, and the revised act (Act No. 14 of 2019) took effect on April 1, 2020. By this amendment, equipment for Level 3 automated driving was newly added to the list of motor vehicle equipment subject to the safety standards (defined in the Ministry of Transport Ordinance No.67, 1951).”