The World Debut of the European Specification of Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coup
Honda Motor will showcase its all new Honda CR-Z hybrid coup,designed with European specification. The new CR-Z features a 2+2 seating layout plus an eight LED daytime running light accent under each of the headlamps. CR-Z for the first time will combine a hybrid system with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The CR-Z offers a lower emission of all exhaust gasses, thanks to combination of an efficient 1.5-litter engine with Honda’s unique IMA parallel hybrid system. Read more
Operation of Next Generation Solar Hydrogen Station by Honda
Designed to function as single integrated unit to fit in the user’s garage, Honada’s next new solar hydrogen station went on operation at Los Angeles based station to re-fuel Honda Fuel Cell electric vehicle. The new reduced size system is capable of producing enough hydrogen (0.5kg) through 8 hour overnight fill for daily commuting based on 10,000 miles per year for a fuel cell electric vehicle. Read more
Development of Robotic ARM for People with Upper Limb Disabilities by AIST
From Honda’s Walking assist Exoskeleton to Tail-wrist-II robotic arm developed by Tokyo Institute of Technology is becoming apparent that the successful development and commercialization of life supporting type robotic technology requires full human participation. Based on this fundamental concept AIST (Advanced Industrial Science and Technology) has developed a small and light weight robotic arm featuring double sensors and communication technology and so on. The newly developed RAPUD which is designed to assist individuals with upper limb disabilities features a seven degree of freedom in arm and hand and it weighs 6 kg capable of carrying payload of 0.5 kg. Read more
Release of Bicycle Simulator for Traffic Safety Education by HONDA
Overwhelming number of bicycle riders in Japan especially in major metropolitan cities for purpose of commuting to work place or going to shopping or others has brought an increasing number of fatalities in accidents involving bicycles in a country where the number of fatalities from traffic accidents has actually declined. One of the major causes of this is violation of traffic rules which is simply ignored by the individuals due to the reason that riding a bicycle does not require a license. Read more
World’s first Brain Machine Interface technology enabling control of a robot by human thought
Honda Research Institute Japan Co., Ltd. (HRI-JP), a subsidiary of Honda R&D Co., Ltd., Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have jointly developed the world’s first Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technology that uses electroencephalography (EEG) and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) along with newly developed information extraction technology to enable control of a robot by human thought alone according to Honda and ATR internal research. This new technology does not require any physical movements such as pressing buttons and so on. This new technology will be further developed for the application of human-friendly products in the future through its integration with artificial intelligence technologies and/or robotic technologies according to the companies. Read more
Ecological driver assistant system by Honda
Implementation of fuel efficient automobile is taking a new direction since no mater how the automobile manufacturers make fuel efficient cars the individual will simply ignore them due to their driving practices. I think the whole Eco picture involves a car with an Eco conscious driver. But at the same time the eco system should be able to educate and assist the driver to be more aware of their driving habit and making them to adapt to the eco system and as a result become part of the Eco system. In this Eco paradigm the driver and the system will eventually act as one since it will become a more tangible entity to a driver. Read more
Honda Walking assist Exoskeleton
This is a follow up to Honda’s effort since 1999 to enhance this technology based on ASIMO robotic know how to assist elderly and other individual with walking problem as well as the people working constantly at half way sitting posture. Honda introduced the Walking assists Exoskeleton in April of this year and followed that up with the yet another model of Exoskeleton this November. The objective of this device is to reduce burden to the legs while individual is walking or is in half-way sitting position which may occur in such places as factories or car assembly sites. The device supports part of the individual’s weight and reduces the pressure to their leg’s muscles and joints. Read more
