Honda's Blind Spot Monitor: The Year It Arrived And Its Impact

Blind-spot monitoring is an important safety feature in modern cars that helps drivers avoid collisions when changing lanes or merging into traffic. Honda has integrated blind-spot monitoring into many of its models, such as the Honda Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey, and Ridgeline. The Honda Civic, first introduced in 2012, features Honda's LaneWatch™ system, which uses a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror to display the car's blind spot. More recent models, such as the 2022 Honda Civic Sedan Touring and the 2024 CR-V, offer the Blind Spot Information System (BSI), which uses sensors to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes and alerts the driver with a warning light and/or sound. While blind-spot monitoring was not always standard, it has become more widely available in newer Honda models, enhancing driver safety and confidence.

Honda's LaneWatch system

Honda's LaneWatch™ system is an innovative driver-assist technology designed to enhance your driving experience and improve safety. It was first introduced in 2012 as an affordable alternative to traditional blind-spot monitoring systems. LaneWatch™ provides drivers with a clear view of their vehicle's blind spots, making lane changes and merging easier and safer.

The system utilises a camera mounted on the passenger-side mirror, which activates when the right turn signal is switched on or by pressing a button on the turn signal control. The live video feed from the camera is displayed on the central touchscreen or infotainment screen, giving drivers a clear view of the vehicle's right-side blind spot. This feature is especially useful when navigating busy city streets or highways, where traffic is constantly changing.

LaneWatch™ is not meant to replace the passenger-side mirror but rather to enhance it. It is important to note that the system only monitors one side of the vehicle, and proper mirror adjustment is still necessary to account for blind spots. However, with LaneWatch™, drivers can have added peace of mind and a clearer view of their surroundings.

Honda offered LaneWatch™ on several models, including the Civic, Clarity, Fit, HR-V, Insight, and Ridgeline. However, as of 2019, Honda began phasing out LaneWatch™ in favour of more traditional blind-spot monitoring systems. The decrease in sensor costs and the increasing popularity of blind-spot monitoring alerts among buyers contributed to this decision.

While LaneWatch™ offered a simple and cost-effective solution for blind-spot monitoring, its limitations, such as only monitoring one lane, became less favourable compared to the advancements in radar sensor technology. As automakers move towards semi-automated and fully automated vehicles, the integration of radar sensors becomes more crucial, making LaneWatch™ less cost-effective for production.

Despite its phase-out, LaneWatch™ remains a practical and intuitive feature that has enhanced the safety of Honda vehicles. It showcases Honda's commitment to innovation and driver safety, and it has played a role in paving the way for more advanced blind-spot monitoring systems.

Honda Sensing safety suite

Honda Sensing is an exclusive intelligent suite of safety and driver-assistance technologies designed to alert drivers to potential dangers they might otherwise miss while driving. The system was first announced in 2014 and is available on all Honda models.

The Honda Sensing safety suite includes:

• Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™): This system uses a combination of radar transmitters and forward-facing cameras to determine the distance and closing speed of objects directly ahead. If the system senses a potential collision, it alerts the driver via audible and visual warnings and may apply light braking. If a collision is deemed unavoidable, CMBS will automatically apply strong braking to help reduce the impact velocity and force.
• Forward Collision Warning (FCW): This state-of-the-art warning system alerts the driver to a potentially dangerous situation ahead with both visual and audible warnings. FCW can detect vehicles directly in front and determines the likelihood of a collision by comparing the vehicles' current speeds.
• Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS): LKAS uses a forward-facing camera to work proactively to keep the vehicle centred in its lane. If the system is engaged and the vehicle starts to drift from the middle of the lane, LKAS will gently apply steering torque and guide the car back to the centre.
• Road Departure Mitigation (RDM): This system uses a camera to identify lane markers. When the vehicle is about to leave the road or lane, the driver is warned with visual and audible alerts. RDM can also apply moderate torque to the steering to guide the vehicle back into its lane and, if necessary, apply braking to prevent the vehicle from leaving the roadway.
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): ACC allows the driver to set a desired speed and maintain a safe following interval behind the vehicle ahead. When the vehicle in front comes closer, the system automatically controls acceleration and deceleration to follow at a safe distance.
• Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR): TSR uses a small camera to notify drivers of posted speed limits.
• Blind Spot Information System: This system detects cars in the vehicle's blind spots and notifies the driver by lighting up an indicator on or near the side mirror. If the driver indicates to turn in the direction of the detected car, the indicator flashes and an audible alarm sounds.
• Cross Traffic Monitor: When reversing, this system detects vehicles approaching from the left and right and notifies the driver with an audible warning and an indicator on the centre display.
• Auto High-Beam Headlights: When driving at night above 25 mph, the system automatically changes between low and high beams depending on surrounding conditions.

Honda has also offered LaneWatch, a camera-based system that projects a live feed of the vehicle's right-side blind spot onto the infotainment screen. However, this system is being phased out in favour of more traditional blind-spot monitoring.

Blind Spot Information System (BSI)

Honda's Blind Spot Information System (BSI) is an advanced safety feature designed to increase driver awareness and help prevent collisions. The system uses sensors or radar to detect vehicles in the driver's blind spots, providing both visual and audible alerts to warn the driver of potential hazards when changing lanes or merging into traffic.

The BSI system typically uses sensors mounted on the rear bumper of the vehicle to scan for objects in the adjacent lanes. When the system detects a vehicle in the blind spot, it illuminates a warning light on the corresponding side mirror. If the driver activates the turn signal to change lanes, the visual warning will blink, and an audible beep will sound to catch the driver's attention. This feature is especially useful when driving on busy highways or city streets with constant traffic changes.

The BSI system is available on various Honda models, including the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Pilot, Odyssey, and Ridgeline. While not standard on all models, BSI is offered as an optional feature on certain trim levels. For example, the 2022 Honda Accord Sport trim and above come outfitted with the Blind Spot Information System, while the 2023 Honda Odyssey offers BSI as standard on all trim levels from EX to Elite.

The BSI system can be customised according to the driver's preferences. The settings can be adjusted to enable or disable the system, as well as choose between audible and visual alerts. It is important to note that the BSI system is not a substitute for the driver's own visual assessment before changing lanes or merging. The system may have limitations in detecting all objects or providing complete information about the vehicle's surroundings, especially at high speed or when objects are approaching quickly.

Overall, Honda's Blind Spot Information System (BSI) is a valuable safety feature that enhances the driver's awareness and helps prevent collisions. By providing visual and audible alerts, the system assists drivers in making safer lane changes and merging decisions, contributing to a more confident and safer driving experience.

Honda's 2022 models with BSI

Honda's Blind Spot Information System (BSI) is designed to enhance driver awareness and increase road safety. The BSI uses radar to scan approximately 10 feet to each side of the vehicle and 15 feet back from the front doors. When the system detects a vehicle in the adjacent lane, it displays a visual warning on the side mirror. If the driver then activates their turn signal, the warning will blink and an audible beep will sound.

• Honda Accord: The BSI comes standard on the 2022 Honda Accord Sport models and above.
• Honda Civic: The BSI can be found on the 2022 Honda Civic Sedan EX trim levels and above.
• Honda Insight: All 2022 Honda Insight trim levels come outfitted with BSI.
• Honda CR-V: The BSI is available on the 2022 Honda CR-V trims EX through Touring.
• Honda Odyssey: The 2022 Honda Odyssey EX and above come equipped with BSI.
• Honda Passport: BSI is offered on every 2022 Honda Passport trim level, from EX-L to Elite.
• Honda Pilot: Every 2022 Honda Pilot model, from Sport to Black Edition, comes with BSI.
• Honda Ridgeline: The BSI comes standard on the 2022 Honda Ridgeline RTL models and above.

It is important to note that while BSI is a valuable safety feature, it should not be solely relied on. Drivers should still visually confirm the absence of vehicles in their blind spots before changing lanes or merging.

Honda's 2023 models with BSI

Honda has been offering blind spot monitoring on its vehicles since 2012, when it introduced its LaneWatch system. This feature was designed to project a live feed of the vehicle's right-side blind spot onto the car's infotainment screen. However, Honda has been phasing out LaneWatch in favour of more traditional blind-spot monitoring systems.

As of 2023, Honda offers its Blind Spot Information System (BSI) on several models, including the Accord, HR-V, and Ridgeline. The BSI uses sensors mounted on the rear bumper to detect vehicles in the blind spot and alerts the driver through a warning light on the side mirror. The system is designed to enhance the driver's confidence by providing additional information about conditions on both sides of the vehicle.

The 2023 Honda Accord EX and above trims offer the BSI system, which works when the vehicle is moving forward at about 20 mph or above. The system uses a pair of sensors, one on each rear corner of the vehicle, to detect vehicles in adjacent lanes. An indicator located in each side mirror illuminates to alert the driver, and if the turn signal is on in the direction of a detected object, the indicator flashes and an alert sounds to catch the driver's attention.

The 2023 Honda HR-V EX-L also offers the BSI system, which similarly provides drivers with additional information about conditions in their blind spots. This system is designed to enhance safety and improve the driver's confidence on the road. While it is an innovative feature, it is not a substitute for the driver's own visual assessment before changing lanes.

In addition to the Accord and HR-V, the 2023 Honda Ridgeline is also equipped with the Blind Spot Information System. This system works in conjunction with a rearview camera and a cross-traffic monitor to make it easier for drivers to navigate tight spaces and avoid collisions when backing up or changing lanes.

Frequently asked questions