Honda president Takahiro Hachigo has just announced that Honda will complete development of fully self-driving cars by 2025. While the company aims to have level 3 — or conditionally autonomous cars requiring human intervention only in emergencies — on the road in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, these level 4 cars would require no intervention in most environments and thus bring Honda one step closer to producing fully driverless cars.
According to Hachigo, Honda's goal is to produce cars requiring no steering wheel or brake operations that are capable of driving in cities. This announcement came during a talk by the company's CEO outlining Honda's goals for the next 13 years, and it's clear that driverless cars are a major focus of the company. Based on Waymo's continued success, the partnership between Honda and Waymo that was vaguely discussed in December will likely help the automaker achieve this 2025 goal, although not much is known about how the companies are collaborating.
With 2025 eight years away, this announcement puts Honda slightly behind its competitors. Tesla has already announced that it tentatively aims to release fully self-driving cars by 2019, and GM CEO Marry Barra stated in December that GM is at the head of the driverless pack.
We expect to be the first high-volume auto manufacturer to build fully autonomous vehicles in a mass-production assembly plant.
Ford has already promised level 4 driverless cars by 2021. Fiat-Chrysler, BMW, and Volvo are also aiming for 2021, and Renault-Nissan's partnership with Microsoft should get fully driverless cars on the road by 2025. While not all of these carmakers have clearly identified the level of automation they're working towards for each of these release dates, it's certain that they're each fighting to produce the most advanced driverless car of the bunch.
Want to master Microsoft Excel and take your work-from-home job prospects to the next level? Jump-start your career with our Premium A-to-Z Microsoft Excel Training Bundle from the new Gadget Hacks Shop and get lifetime access to more than 40 hours of Basic to Advanced instruction on functions, formula, tools, and more.
Other worthwhile deals to check out:
- 97% off The Ultimate 2021 White Hat Hacker Certification Bundle
- 98% off The 2021 Accounting Mastery Bootcamp Bundle
- 99% off The 2021 All-in-One Data Scientist Mega Bundle
- 59% off XSplit VCam: Lifetime Subscription (Windows)
- 98% off The 2021 Premium Learn To Code Certification Bundle
- 62% off MindMaster Mind Mapping Software: Perpetual License
- 41% off NetSpot Home Wi-Fi Analyzer: Lifetime Upgrades
Be the First to Comment
Share Your Thoughts