Why did Honda get rid of the blind spot camera?
Honda has not eliminated blind-spot awareness entirely, but it has shifted away from a dedicated blind-spot camera in many models in favor of radar-based detection. In practice, this means fewer live camera feeds and more sensor-driven warnings as part of the Honda Sensing suite.
To understand the change, it helps to look at how Honda’s safety tech evolved, the differences between the old camera system and the current setup, and how availability varies by model year and market.
Background: LaneWatch vs. Blind Spot Information System
LaneWatch was a camera-based system that provided a live feed of the passenger-side blind spot on the vehicle’s infotainment screen. Honda introduced LaneWatch to help drivers monitor areas not visible in the standard mirrors. Over time, Honda expanded and standardized a radar-based Blind Spot Information System (BSI) across more models, using sensors at the rear corners to detect vehicles in the blind spots and warn the driver with indicators in the side mirrors and audible alerts. In many configurations, the current setup does not rely on a continuous video feed, though some markets or trims may still offer certain camera views for parking or other purposes.
Key differences between the old LaneWatch camera and the current blind-spot system include:
- LaneWatch provided a live video feed from a passenger-side camera on the infotainment screen, typically activated by signaling or control input.
- The current Blind Spot Information System primarily uses radar sensors to detect vehicles in the blind spots and communicates warnings via side-mirror indicators and audible alerts rather than a constant video feed.
- Camera feeds may still appear in some configurations (especially for parking or in certain regions), but the standard blind-spot function is largely sensor-based.
- Availability varies by model year, trim level, and market; not every vehicle offers a live camera view as part of the blind-spot system.
The shift toward sensor-based warnings reflects a broader industry move to standardize safety technology, improve reliability across conditions, and simplify production and maintenance.
Why Honda made the change: the rationale
Below are the main reasons cited or widely discussed in automotive reporting for moving away from a dedicated blind-spot camera:
- Cost and manufacturing efficiency: A single radar-based system can serve multiple models and trims, reducing parts, wiring, and calibration requirements compared with maintaining separate camera-based setups for different configurations.
- Reliability and consistency: Radar sensors tend to be less affected by glare, rain, dirt, or misalignment than a camera, potentially delivering more uniform warnings across conditions.
- Standardization of safety tech: Integrating blind-spot detection uniformly across the Honda Sensing suite helps ensure a consistent user experience and easier servicing across the lineup.
- Driver experience considerations: Sensor-based warnings with mirror indicators and audible alerts can be less distracting than watching a live video feed on the infotainment screen during driving.
As with any model-year decision, exact implementation and availability vary by region and trim, so checking the specifics for a given vehicle is important.
Current state and regional variations
The exact configuration depends on year and market. In the United States, many newer Honda models rely on the Blind Spot Information System with radar sensors, often without a continuous passenger-side camera feed as the default experience. Some higher trims or regional variants may still offer camera-based views in certain parking scenarios or as part of separate camera gear, but the standard setup emphasizes sensor-based warnings. In Europe and Asia, Honda similarly emphasizes radar-based blind-spot detection within its safety packages, with camera options appearing in specific configurations or regions.
What this means for drivers
For drivers shopping or testing Honda vehicles, the key takeaway is to verify the exact blind-spot technology on the specific model year and trim. If you valued the LaneWatch-style live camera feed, you may find it replaced by radar-based warnings, with occasional camera features limited to parking or particular markets. Understanding the exact configuration will help set expectations for alerts, displays, and camera availability.
Summary
Honda’s move away from a dedicated blind-spot camera in many models reflects a strategic shift toward standardized, sensor-based safety warnings within the Honda Sensing framework. While some configurations may still offer camera-related views in certain markets or as separate options, the core blind-spot experience in most current models relies on radar detection and mirror alerts rather than a continuous live video feed. Always check the exact equipment list for your model year and trim to know what you’ll see and how the system will warn you on the road.
