R&D Monthly Focus
R&D Monthly Focus looks back on Honda R&D’s activities on a monthly basis and shares upcoming activity plans
Activity Report: Highlights of Activities in February and March
Honda R&D Establishes the Honda R&D – AIST Diamond X Electronics Cooperative Research Laboratory within the AIST
Building on the joint research on diamond semiconductors that we have conducted with the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) since 2023, Honda R&D has established a cooperative research laboratory (Clown Lab) aimed at the practical application of that research. On the day we established the laboratory, President Otsu and his delegation visited the AIST Tsukuba Center. The delegation held a lively exchange of opinions with AIST Vice President Obara about the path to development in the future. Together with this, they toured the diamond semiconductor research facilities and further deepened collaboration through on-site discussions. Going forward, we plan to promote integrated research from substrates to device fabrication with the aim of achieving the early practical application of next-generation electronic devices.
Honda R&D Signs an Agreement with Wako City for a Demonstration Experiment on Advanced Safety Technology and Autonomous Driving Technology
Honda R&D has signed an agreement with Wako City, Saitama Prefecture, where one of our bases is located, for a technology demonstration experiment. This experiment will combine Honda’s proprietary cooperative artificial intelligence Honda CI, which is designed to be able to understand people, and our Safe and Sound Network Technology, which utilizes data and communication to support accident risk avoidance. Based on this agreement, we will begin the demonstration experiment in the summer of 2026 with Honda employees first. We will then expand the scope of the experiment to also include Wako City Hall employees in the fall. In the future, we will gradually provide opportunities for those living in Wako City and other local residents to participate in the experiment as well. This will accelerate research and development on safety technology and autonomous driving technology.
Honda R&D Receives the Prime Minister’s Award at the Space Development and Utilization Awards and President Otsu Gives a Speech
Honda R&D received the Prime Minister’s Award, the highest award, at the 7th Space Development and Utilization Awards in recognition of our outstanding control technology in the Launch and landing test of experimental reusable rockets. Minister of State for Space Policy Onoda presented the certificate of commendation to Honda R&D at the awards ceremony on behalf of the absent Prime Minster. In his acceptance speech, President Otsu expressed Honda’s resolution to expanding our mobility technologies to the space domain, including circular renewable energy systems and robotic hands, in addition to rocket reusability technology. He called for public-private partnerships under strong government leadership to accelerate the growth of the space industry in Japan.
Honda R&D Receives the Space Frontier Award from the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers and Director of the Space Development Strategy Office Sakurahara Gives a Speech
Honda R&D received the FY2025 Space Frontier Award from the Space Engineering Division of the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers in recognition of Japan’s first-ever technology demonstration by a private company in a reusable rocket launch and landing experiment. The head of the division presented the certificate of commendation to Honda R&D at the awards ceremony. In his acceptance speech, Executive Chief Engineer Kazuo Sakurahara presented development achievements in applying core technologies cultivated in F1 development, autonomous driving, and robotics to space transportation. He introduced our unique technologies, such as avatar robots for lunar surface operations and circulative renewable energy system. He then spoke about the significance of embodying Honda’s vision to “serve people worldwide with the joy of expanding their life’s potential” in the space domain as well.
Upcoming Events
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Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 YOKOHAMA
We will exhibit our latest achievements in environmental and safety technologies with a view to 2050. Related link |
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Humanoids Summit 2026
We will demonstrate the operation of a next-generation robotic hand with multiple fingers and a high degree of freedom. Related link |