Bicycle safety wasn’t an issue for me growing up. I lived in a quiet suburban subdivision on a cul-de-sac. Plus, my mom is an insurance agent and so she made sure that I always had the latest safety equipment. (E.g. shin pads, wrist pads, elbow pads, helmet, gloves, and a cup) It’s a damn good thing that Honda didn’t make this bicycle simulator back in the Eighties. She would have shipped the thing in from Japan, and I would have never been able to leave the house.
Honda
by Matt Burns on November 23, 2009
by Devin Coldewey on October 22, 2009
If the pictures of Honda’s little peanut-shaped mobility device weren’t enough for you, well, now you can see it in motion. This demonstration at the Tokyo Motor Show has a rather smug-looking presenter zipping it all over the stage, and not falling down once. I have to say, he looks a little unsure as to what to do with your hands. I’d like to think that if I were in his position, I wouldn’t naturally assume a “WHAT WHAT” stance.
by Nicholas Deleon on September 24, 2009
This, according to Honda, is the future of personal mobility. (In the future, walking will be seen as passe and uncool.) It’s called the U3-X, and it just debuted in Tokyo. It’s sorta like a Segway, but a little less cumbersome (but just as unusual looking to the layman).
by Matt Burns on July 13, 2009
Ready for more hybrid vehicles? Sure, why not, right? Honda is set to release two new hybrid vehicles next year: the CR-Z and Fit/Jazz. Both should come equipped with Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system and further demonstrates that hybrid technology will soon be a standard option on most vehicles.
There isn’t anything real exciting about either of these two new cars besides the hybrid option. The CR-Z will be a standard fastback coupe while the Fit is a wannabe mini-minivan. (ask Biggs, he has one) But both small cars should get a boost in MPG with the hybrid system. Read More
by Peter Ha on April 14, 2009
As I mentioned earlier, Honda is in town to demo their two walking assist devices for the first time in the US. I was given the opportunity to test both models out in midtown Manhattan this afternoon. The applications for both models are pretty obvious and Honda has been testing the Bodyweight Support Assist at their Saitama factory since November of last year.
Update: The entire presentation including the Q&A is now available to watch after the jump.
by Peter Ha on April 14, 2009
We’ve covered Honda’s walking assist devices pretty extensively in the past, but we’ve never had the opportunity to see them in person until now. Hopefully we get that chance next week when Honda demos two prototype devices in Detroit at the 2009 Society of Automtoive Engineers World Congress. Actually, we’re trying out the W.A.D. right now and we’ll have video later today!
With over 130 patents, Honda hopes to help the geriatric and those with impaired leg muscles walk again.
by Serkan Toto on March 31, 2009
Honda today announced a “brain machine interface” (press release in English), which makes it possible for human beings to control robots by thought and does away with all the button pressing and joystick holding that usually gets on our nerves when we control our robots. The technology was developed jointly with Japanese tech company Shimadzu and Tokyo-based research institute ATR.
by Arun Venkatesan on February 11, 2009
Honda’s ASIMO has conducted an orchestra and even served cocktails. Now Honda has added a 360° look at the technology in ASIMO that lets him do all of that. You can see it here.
by Matt Burns on February 5, 2009
The latest Honda Insight goes on sale tomorrow. We spied the inexpensive hybrid at the North American International Auto Show and liked what we saw. Unfortunately, the sales are limited to Japan for the time being, but eventually American ecofreaks will be able to prance with unicorns too.
by Matt Burns on January 13, 2009
Honda recently unveiled the second generation Honda Insight and we spend sometime with the Prius-look alike. The interior has a futuristic look that you know was done on a budget thanks to the cheap plastic. The dash cluster is not only fun, but functional, with the tach center located and the speedo housed alone above the main instruments. The radio and HVAC controls continues the plastic and functional feel but keep in mind this hybrid has a EPA mileage estimates of 40 mpg city, 43 highway, and 41 combined for less than the Prius so high-quality material probably wasn’t a top priority. Photo gallery after the jump.
by Matt Burns on December 8, 2008
There was a time when winning races on Sunday meant sales on Monday, but the general populous might have moved from that mentality as the race cars drifted farther from production models. Honda is the latest in a long line of car manufacturers to refocus into developing economic cars and withdrew from Formula One racing today – totally.
by Devin Coldewey on December 3, 2008
How in the hell does Honda expect people to choose the Insight over the Prius if they can’t tell the difference between the things? Honestly, it looks like the grille and headlights are the only difference between these two eco-cars. Not only that, but they’re similarly spec’ed and get identical mileage. Are they trying to pull something over on us here?
And didn’t I just watch a Top Gear where they all got above 70mpg* with diesels? People are getting 40mpg with their Minis. With engineering and design innovation like this, these hybrids will probably sell about as well as Vista.
*UK gallons as a commenter points out, so it’s 1.2 US gallons. Still…
by Serkan Toto on November 25, 2008
Honda has developed an ecological drive assist system [JP], which will be used in a new Insight hybrid model that is scheduled for release next spring in Japan.
The system is based on three different functions:
by Doug Aamoth on November 7, 2008
It’s a choice that most people "who are capable of walking and maneuvering on their own, but who can benefit from additional leg and body support while performing tasks” face every morning. What’s more important to me today, reducing the load on my leg muscles or not supporting my body weight almost entirely by my balls?
by Serkan Toto on October 29, 2008
Tokyo-based YP Systems [JP] has developed the world’s first CO2 fire extinguisher that triples as a glass breaker and a belt cutter. The device is just 19.5cm long and weighs 370g.
Made specifically for use during emergency situations in vehicles, the so-called Shobo Rescue’s fire extinguishing function is kept very simple (pulling a security pin is enough). YP Systems used food additive grade CO2 as the fire extinguishing agent to avoid dangers to people and electric systems.
by Peter Ha on October 22, 2008
Honda is demoing a GPS-based warning system to help keep motorcycle riders safe from cars at the Car 2 Car Communication Consortium event in Germany today. The system built by Honda works with 8 other vehicle manufacturers that relay messages between motorcycles and cars with information like direction and position. Said information will be fed to riders through a HUD and in-helmet audio. Drivers will see info on their Nav system display.
They’re currently in phase four of development in Japan, but there’s no mention of how many phases there are. Honda is also testing the system in Europe and the United States.
by Serkan Toto on October 14, 2008
Video: Courtesy of DigInfo
Honda’s humanoid Asimo has been around for more than four years now but it’s still highly popular in its homeland Japan. At Robo Japan 2008, an exhibition held in Yokohama last week, Honda presented the newest version of the 130cm tall, walking robot to the general public and it looks just awesome.
by Serkan Toto on September 23, 2008
Honda in Japan announced they will equip their new Odyssey models (which go on sale in Japan next month) with a new multi-view camera system that displays images on the vehicles’ navigation system to enhance safety.
The system consists of a total of four wide-angle CCD cameras that are installed in the front and rear of the cars and on the right and left door mirrors. Drivers will see synthesized images on the navigation system’s screen, along with additional visual information such as projection and reference lines for making it easier to assess distances and view the cars’ projected trajectories.
The Honda system is supposed to assist drivers during parking, enhance visibility through the reduction of blind spots and avoid dangerous situations in narrow driving conditions.
Press release in English after the break.
by Matt Burns on August 14, 2008
You don’t need a $40,000 Chevy Volt to be part of the green crowd. Just convert your current vehicle from gasoline to electric. It might cost you more than the car is worth, but you won’t be sending your bucks overseas.
CNN is showcasing two fellas that did just that. One with a Honda Civic del Sol and the other with a Chevy S-10. Both are now electric and both were converted by their handy owners. The gents said it wasn’t that hard and took about four months to complete. The S-10 cost $12k in upgrades and can now run 40 miles on a single charge, hitting a top speed of 60 mph.
It’s going to take a long time to overcome the initial cost but for drivers fed up with the whole oil thing, why not send your money to the local power conglomerate instead.
by Serkan Toto on August 14, 2008
Spy shot of Honda’s new hybrid car (unconfirmed)
Honda yesterday announced they hope to sell 100,000 units in North America of a new hybrid car slated for release on April 22, 2009 (Earth Day).
The five-door, five-passenger vehicle lower is planned to not only be cheaper than the current Civic hybrid model (base price in the US: $22,600) but also to outperform Toyota’s hybrid market leader Prius in price (base price: $21,500). Toyota managed to sell more than 180,000 Priuses in the US last year.
The new Honda hybrids, which are expected to be smaller than the Prius models, will be be manufactured in Japan. The company will initially produce 200,000 of the vehicles, with half targeted for export to North America. Except for spy shots, there are no photographs of the new hybrid available, which is rumored to be unveiled during the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October.
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