Alphabet’s Waymo in talks with Honda regarding self-driving car tech

After Google recently spun out its self-driving car division into Waymo, it looks like the new Alphabet company is trying to strike a big deal. Honda announced it is entering talks with Waymo on integrating autonomous vehicle tech into its cars. The discussion is still in its very early stages but Honda is proposing to give Waymo modified vehicles to help speed the process along. The new announcement isn’t meant to derail Honda’s own automated driving plans, which it intends to have self-driving cars on the road by 2020, but will be considered a “different technological approach.” If it does push through though, this would help legitimize Waymo further as a viable option for manufacturers who just plan to integrate an established self-driving platform over creating their own version.

Source: Engadget

Honda furthers AI tech development in its cars with SoftBank partnership

Artificial intelligence is at the heart of a new partnership between Honda and internet company SoftBank. The idea is that the AI in vehicles will be able to read and react to the emotions of the drivers as intelligently as it can. “"Imagine if robots, with their super intelligence, devoted themselves to humans,” SoftBank Group Corp.’s Masayoshi Son said during an event in Tokyo announcing the partnership. “And imagine that cars themselves became supercomputers or robots one day. Honda will be the first to adopt this technology.” The team suggests that Honda cars might interact with drivers using the technology used in SoftBank’s Pepper robot. And maybe Pepper could even meet Honda’s own Asimo (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) robot.

Honda’s team will be working with SoftBank’s Cocoro SB unit on AI research for cars. This team from SoftBank is currently studying cloud-based AI on their own.  SoftBank recently acquired chipmaker ARM, which is seen as an essential move needed for this partnership to work. Honda previously announced they were establishing a research facility this September dedicated to AI technology.

Source: Reuters | Via: SlashGear

2016 Honda Civic models gets Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support

Honda just announced that its upcoming 2016 Civic model will be supporting both Apple’s CarPlay and Android Auto. It’ll have a 7-inch touchscreen to support both platforms. With Apple CarPlay you can do things like get directions, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music. You can control this right from the display or by using Siri. Some of the apps it can support include Phone, Messages, Maps, Music, and other compatible third-party apps. It’ll need your device to run iOS 8.4 or later and be an iPhone 5 or later. For Android Auto, you need Android 5.0 or later. It can run features like Google Maps, Google Now, messaging, music, etc.

Source: Honda | Via: Apple Insider

Expect more Android-equipped cars with new Google Open Automotive Alliance

Seems the Google and Hyundai Glass app integration was just the start. Google partners with some big automotive industry names to start what is called the Open Automotive Alliance. Google and NVIDIA is teaming up with Audi, Hyundai, GM and Honda to integrate Android further into cars. The alliance aims to push the boundaries of car innovation and help develop more intuitive and safer car technology. They plan to release new projects as early as this year so expect to see more of Google in your next automobile.