Honda, the well-known global manufacturer of automobiles, motorcycles, and battery-powered equipment, has announced a partnership with two leading Indian institutions, the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay). This collaboration aims to further develop Honda Cooperative Intelligence (CI), an advanced form of artificial intelligence (AI) designed to enhance communication between humans and machines.
Advancing Cooperative Intelligence
Honda, headquartered in Tokyo, has created Cooperative Intelligence (CI), which enables a mutual understanding between people and machines. Through this partnership, Honda will work with IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay to improve the technology behind CI. This advancement is part of Honda’s broader mission to ensure the joy and freedom of mobility for everyone.
As part of this joint effort, Honda associates will work closely with IIT professors and students to plan, design, develop, and test new technologies. The team will focus on driving assistance and automated driving technologies, conducting experiments and testing in Delhi and Mumbai. These cities were chosen due to their complex and varied traffic environments, which present unique challenges for AI systems.
Testing in Real-World Conditions
One of the key aspects of this collaboration is testing Honda’s CI-powered micro-mobility vehicle/robot, which is already being demonstrated in Joso City, Japan. By testing in India, Honda hopes to refine the technology in challenging conditions, such as heavy traffic and unpredictable road scenarios. The aim is to enhance CI technology so that it can be applied to driver assistance and automated driving in various regions, including India and beyond.
Overcoming Challenges in India’s Traffic
India presents a unique challenge for AI due to the complex traffic environments in cities like Delhi and Mumbai. With various road systems and a large number of road users, situations can arise that are difficult for AI to predict. By verifying technology in this environment, Honda and the IITs can refine CI technology, making it smarter and more adaptable. Honda is committed to using these technological advancements to improve the driving experience, ensuring that future driver assistance systems are reliable and effective in any traffic situation around the world.
