Ideas change society: IGNITION, Honda’s new business creation program
IGNITION, Honda’s new business creation program, uncovers original ideas, technologies, and designs from individuals, connecting them to solutions for social challenges and the creation of new value.
This feature follows entrepreneurs carrying forward Honda’s DNA—tackling challenges such as mobility support for the visually impaired and visualizing the ocean—through their relentless pursuit of innovation.
Honda Entrepreneurs Turning Technology and Ideas into Solutions for Environmental and Infrastructure Challenges
"UMIAILE", a small unmanned boat that collects data to support earthquake research and ocean surveys, and "PathAhead", which turns desert sand into road-building material, are two examples of Honda entrepreneurs taking on real-world challenges. Explore how their ideas have led to new value.
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Honda StoriesDesert Sand Becomes Road to the Future: The Challenge of PathAhead, a Startup from HondaInnovationIn Africa, some countries have a road paving rate of less than 20%*1, and even when roads are paved, the harsh reality is that they can deteriorate within just a few years. The quality of roads affects the movement of people and goods and is directly tied to the very potential for economic growth. At the same time, there is a global shortage of sand for construction, including materials used ...
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Honda Stories“Visualizing the Sea” to Save Earth’s FutureInnovationUMIAILE Co., Ltd., a company aiming to protect a peaceful and prosperous Earth through “visualizing the sea,” was established through Honda’s IGNITION new business creation program. UMIAILE is a startup company launched through Honda to develop and sell the UMIAILE ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle) small pilotless boat, and analyze and provide ocean observation data the boat col
Supporting the Freedom of Movement of People with Visual Impairments
"Ashirase" is a shoe-mounted navigation device that uses vibrations to show the direction ahead. Explore the challenge behind Honda’s effort to turn a strong desire to help people with visual impairments go out more freely into a business and mass production.
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Honda StoriesThree Key Issues Honda Venture Ashirase Considered to Achieve Mass ProductionInnovationAshirase Inc. was established as the first business venture project to originate from IGNITION, Honda’s new business creation program, to develop “Ashirase,” a shoe-mounted navigation device to help the visually-impaired walk. A new model, “Ashirase 2,”exceeded 300 units in its initial production run, succeeding in mass-production. This issue of Honda Stories provides through i
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Honda StoriesHonda Venture Supports Freedom of Mobility for Visually Impaired: IGNITION Supports Challenges of Starting a BusinessInnovationHonda engineers with a desire to help the visually impaired walk freely, brought their technology to the world by starting a new business. IGNITION, Honda’s new business creation program, is designed to turn such passionate aspirations of employees into reality. In this project, Honda welcomed new supporters of entrepreneurship and commercialization from outside the company....
SmaChari: Turning Everyday Bicycles into Smarter Mobility
"SmaChari" is a service that turns a regular bicycle into an electric assisted and connected bicycle. Explore the passion behind the Honda engineer who wanted to make riding a bicycle to school easier.
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Honda StoriesWhy Honda Takes on the Challenge of Space: Behind the Scenes of Sustainable Rocket’s Successful Launch and Landing Test, and Dreams Envisioned by its EngineersHonda began research in the space domain in 2019. While working on three projects—a circulative renewable energy system, space robotics, and sustainable rockets—Honda conducted its first sustainable rocket launch and landing test on June 17, 2025, reaching an altitude of nearly 300 meters. The test successfully verified key technologies, including rocket stability during ascent
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Honda StoriesMaking HondaJet a Key Pillar of Honda’s Future – Honda Aircraft Company’s Management StrategyHonda Aircraft Company, LLC (HACI), Honda’s aircraft business subsidiary, was established in North Carolina in 2006. The HondaJet, a light business jet featuring the over-the-wing engine mount (OTWEM), has challenged conventional aviation norms and captivated many aviation enthusiasts. In 2022, Michimasa Fujino, HACI’s founding President and CEO, who drove the development of the ...
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Honda StoriesBarefoot-Friendly Beaches for Future Generations: 20-years of Honda’s Beach Clean-Up Activity Driven by the Power of Technology and PeopleSince 2006, Honda Beach Clean has worked to pass on beaches where everyone can walk barefoot to the next generation. Discover its journey—and where it's headed.