Hino Passenger Accident Prevention System to Join Japan Bus Safety Test

Hino Develops AI-Based System to Prevent Passenger Falls

Hino Motors, Ltd. will participate in a public bus demonstration test designed to prevent passenger falls, with the Hino Passenger Accident Prevention System scheduled for evaluation between September and December 2026. The test will be conducted by the Nihon Bus Association in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and will use a system developed by Hino to identify situations that could lead to passenger accidents. The system combines artificial intelligence, an interior camera and a cockpit monitor to assess whether passengers are holding handrails or straps. When a potential risk is detected, the system alerts the driver, helping improve safety during bus acceleration and deceleration.

System Uses AI, Interior Cameras and Vehicle Information

The system determines potential passenger-fall risks by combining interior camera images with vehicle operating information. If it identifies a passenger who is not holding a handrail or strap, the system can recognize the situation as a possible accident risk and notify the driver through the cockpit monitor. Electronic control units and related devices that process interior images and information such as bus speed were developed by Tokai Rika Co Ltd. This approach is intended to give drivers additional information about passenger conditions that may be difficult to monitor continuously while operating a bus, particularly during acceleration or deceleration when passengers can be more vulnerable to losing balance.

Hino Builds on Previous Demonstration Test Experience

Hino is incorporating lessons from an earlier joint demonstration test conducted with Keio Dentetsu Bus Co Ltd in 2024. The experience gained through that project has been used to improve the current passenger accident prevention system before the new demonstration begins. The upcoming evaluation in Japan will provide another opportunity to assess the technology under public bus operating conditions and gather additional knowledge for future development. Hino said the objective is not limited to detecting immediate passenger risks, as the company also intends to use knowledge acquired through the test when developing related products and services.

System Could Also Reduce Driver Psychological Burden

In addition to its passenger safety function, Hino’s analysis indicates that the system can help reduce the psychological burden on drivers. Bus drivers must continuously manage vehicle operation while remaining attentive to passengers and surrounding traffic, making real-time monitoring of every passenger difficult. By providing an automated warning when the system detects a potential fall risk, the technology can offer an additional layer of support without replacing the driver’s responsibility for vehicle operation. Hino Motors Ltd plans to use findings from the 2026 demonstration to further improve its products and services, potentially supporting broader applications of AI-based safety technologies in public transportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hino’s passenger fall prevention system?
The system is an AI-based bus safety technology designed to identify passengers who may be at risk of falling because they are not holding a handrail or strap. It combines artificial intelligence, an interior camera and a cockpit monitor to assess passenger conditions and alert the driver when a potential accident risk is detected. Hino is scheduled to evaluate the system during a public bus demonstration test from September through December 2026. The company intends to use the findings to improve future products and services.