Honda bringing 360-degree multi-view camera system to Odyssey

Honda's been trying for months now to convince you that "the van is back in style," and while we're still not entirely sure that line isn't just marketing hoopla (okay, it is), at least the company is working to make the thing more technologically advanced. Starting next month in Japan, the automaker will debut a multi-view camera system for its Odyssey minivan, which will utilize the same 360-degree overhead cam tech that Nissan picked up last year. The system will give drivers the ability to see more as they prepare to back out, and the biggest boon is the ability to view ninjas adhered to parking garage ceilings prior to opening the sunroof and facing The Reaper. Unfortunately, there's no word on when it'll be available in other corners of the globe, but we'd guess 2009 if we had a Katana put to our throat.

[Thanks, JagsLive]

[higeki @ Sep 24th 2008 10:47AM]

I rented the Nissan Elgrand with this feature when my family came to visit me. The overhead view is really cool, especially when trying to get thru tight corners in Tokyo's backstreets. One more thing, the Japanese Honda Odyssey is COMPLETELY different than the American one. The American one is fat, overweight, and ugly. The Japanese one is slim, hip, and sleek. Cars imitating life?

[The Kludge @ Sep 24th 2008 11:25AM]

Hey now, some of us like our big ass Odysseys. Especially if you have impaired mobility, like me. It's the only car I drove (and I drove every freakin car out there before I bought) that I could easily enter and exit. I really wanted a small car but I am one of the 1% of drivers who have little choice but to drive a physically larger car to avoid serious discomfort. And no, I am not a big fatty, either.

[Jinto @ Sep 24th 2008 10:57AM]

"Katana sword" English translation: sword sword.

[TJ @ Sep 24th 2008 11:41AM]

I'm wondering what's going on with the ninja-heavy talk in the post? How about giving some love to pirates around here?

[nolos @ Sep 24th 2008 12:16PM]

Who said "Katana sword"?

[tom @ Sep 24th 2008 10:58AM]

How is this different from the infinite FX- they have the 360 already

[Prokanda @ Sep 24th 2008 11:03AM]

the "Infiniti" brand is made by Nissan and this story is about a Honda? maybe?

[Flashpoint @ Sep 24th 2008 10:59AM]

360' viewing is no substitute for a BRAIN and mirrors.

[Ignatius @ Sep 24th 2008 11:03AM]

It's the same reason why people shouldn't just watch their GPS instead of the road. The GPS is there to assist, not to take over.

[bachviet @ Sep 24th 2008 11:07AM]

True but lots of drivers are lacking in that "safe-driving brain" department.

[Joe @ Sep 24th 2008 11:09AM]

True, it's not a substitute. But it can complement it.

A calculator isn't a substitute for a brain either, but it's a handy tool.

[gunboatdiplomacy @ Sep 24th 2008 1:13PM]

yeah, but he knows alot about sean connery.

[iEye @ Sep 24th 2008 11:05AM]

This is good to have to make sure no one is trying to jump you when you exit your car... but I mean if you need this to assist you in driving then you are pathetic...

I learned how to drive in a big old caprice... if you girly men can't park a little golf cart you call a civic, then perhaps you shoul not be allowed to drive...

What happend to using mirrors and turning around when you reverse?

[Flashpoint @ Sep 24th 2008 11:43AM]

I've lived in Shinjuku-Ku Tokyo.

The reason the Japanese desire this stuff is because the whole place is a parking lot. Cars barely move from block to block because of the traffic/pedestrian density. I understand the reasoning here. Its just like their drive for robotized parralel parking...all traffic is bumper to bumper and you get sued for hitting nearby cars.

[Joe @ Sep 24th 2008 11:07AM]

The minivan has been in style for years. They've just been making the face look like a pickup truck and renaming it "SUV". Like a pig in lipstick.

[Gregersonk @ Sep 24th 2008 1:04PM]

Honda lost me when they removed the manual transmission from their minivan. They also lost me again when they removed it from the hybrid for a lousy unreliable CVT. In both cases the auto transmission design gets worse gas mileage and lower reliability ratings.

[diulei @ Sep 24th 2008 1:36PM]

This would be great for those in urban areas... but I'm afraid most suburban Americans would just rely on this too much and pay even less attention to the road. That said, there are places I have been in Asia and Europe that this would be a godsend. Not so much suburban SoCal where I am right now.

[Mickey @ Sep 24th 2008 3:09PM]

Hybrid minivan, please.

[sean @ Oct 23rd 2008 2:35AM]

um... Can i get the part name the camera for this system???? (Honda & Nissan)