the honda augmented driving concept lets drivers change lanes by swiping left or right

honda has unveiled an augmented driving concept featuring a roofless four-seater car with fully autonomous capabilities. demoed at CES 2020, the system intends to blend manual and self-driving by changing between each mode seamlessly.

live from las vegas: this article is part of designboom’s coverage of all the latest launches from CES 2020 live from the trade show grounds.

images © designboom

honda‘s concept centers around a new steering wheel design, the only point of interest in the ultra-minimum cabin featuring two rows of bench seats. it doubles as a control for the cars other features: by patting the steering wheel twice, the vehicle will start and by pulling the steering wheel the vehicle will slow down. push the steering wheel and the vehicle accelerates.

the wheel also serves as a screen for the speedometer when the car is in manual mode. meanwhile, eye-reading sensors incorporated into its center of the steering wheel monitor the drivers’ eyes for distraction. if their gaze is averted the car’s autonomous system kicks in.

screengrab from video courtesy of honda

when the car is in its autonomous state a passenger can swipe their hand left or right over the top of the steering wheel to make it change lanes. the controls can also be moved from one side of the vehicle to another, meaning a person sitting anywhere in the car – left, middle, or right – can take the wheel.

screengrab from video courtesy of honda

appearing alongside the concept at CES was also honda’s smartphone as brain concept, which allows a smartphone to be controlled via switches on steering wheels or handlebars, and a new voice recognition function that aims to minimise distractions while driving.

project info

company: honda
product: augmented driving concept
event: CES 2020