Honda to release Japan's first domestic 'level three' autonomous car

Honda Motor Co. will be the first automaker in Japan to release a domestically produced car with "level three" autonomy, sources have said. Level three autonomous driving technologies will be mounted on Honda's new Legend luxury sedan, set to be launched as early as summer 2020, the sources said. With the level three technologies, drivers will be able to leave operation of their car to the vehicle itself during traffic congestion on expressways. Next spring, Japan will enforce a revised road traffic law to permit the driving of level three autonomous vehicles on public roads. With the technologies that Honda will mount on the Legend, drivers will not need to operate the accelerator or the wheel during congestion on expressways.