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 June
Participated as a Speaker at the Software-defined Vehicle Summit 2026 Conference
Automobiles are undergoing a transformation on a daily basis into digital devices whose evolution is being driven by software. As such, the value of functional extensions and service integration is expanding. Against this backdrop, the Software-defined Vehicle Summit 2026 was held in the JP Tower Tokyo on June 11. This summit served as an event to explore the future direction of next-generation vehicles by sharing the technical challenges and latest trends concerning them. Yuriko Kan, Deputy Head of SDV Development General Manager of SDV Development Transformation Div. SDV R&D Center, participated as a speaker at a special lecture and a panel discussion as part of this event.
Kan brought a relaxed atmosphere to the otherwise formal venue by speaking directly to the audience. She opened her speech by recalling what she was told when she joined our company: “Please change the things about Honda that are not right.” She then raised serious questions about communication and structure before identifying the issues in companies with a long history. Many of those in the audience were captivated by Kan’s skillful way of talking. After the panel discussion, she exchanged business cards with approximately 100 attendees.
Related link
Software-defined Vehicle Summit 2026 [Japanese website]
Exhibited at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 NAGOYA
Following on from the YOKOHAMA event, we exhibited at the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 NAGOYA, held in Aichi Sky Expo from June 17 to 19. In addition to exhibiting our technologies, we hosted presentations on a wide range of technical themes in our booth. Many attendees stopped by to listen intently to them.
In addition, we exhibited our PRELUDE automobile and our CB750 HORNET and XL750 TRANSALP motorcycles at a special exhibition unique to the NAGOYA event called “Exhibition of New Cars and Vehicles Featuring New Technologies.” In “Highlights Time,” our engineers directly explained the key features of this automobile and these motorcycles while standing right in front of the actual vehicles. Many attendees listened with great interest.
Related link
Honda R&D｜Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 [Japanese website]
Participated as a Speaker at “The Path to a Decarbonized Society: The Challenge of the Electric Drive Technology Committee” Session of the JSAE Forum
Seiichiro Irie, Operating Officer and Head of Innovative Power Unit & Energy Research in the Research Center of Excellence at Honda R&D, participated as a speaker at “The Path to a Decarbonized Society: The Challenge of the Electric Drive Technology Committee” session of the JSAE Forum. This is an event held in conjunction with the Automotive Engineering Exposition 2026 NAGOYA.
In his speech titled “Technological research efforts toward achieving carbon neutrality,” Irie outlined the overall picture of multi-pathway carbon neutral technology that leverages electrification, hydrogen, renewable fuels, and other solutions.
The subsequent panel discussion saw participants engage in discussions on the respective challenges and initiatives of their companies to delve deeper into technical details. Despite the serious nature of these discussions, the event was held in a cordial atmosphere punctuated with occasional laughter.
Upcoming Events
| SCHEDULE | TITLE & CONTENT |
|---|---|
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TECHNO-FRONTIER 2026 41st Power System Technology Symposium
High Efficiency Alone Is Not Enough: Power Distribution System That Supports Continued Operation of eVTOL. Related linkTECHNO-FRONTIER 2026 Technology Symposium [Japanese website] |