Got a fabulous tech idea? Then Honda wants to hear from you.
The Japanese auto maker last week introduced Honda Xcelerator – a new open innovation research and development program – and its goal is to attract high-tech entrepreneurs. Honda will provide future-thinkers with funding and know-how support for the development of automotive-related prototypes.
"There's tremendous opportunity for everyone in this space, be it Honda or Ford or Tesla or Apple – or some young inventor that no one's ever heard of toiling away in the garage on the next big thing," said Frank Paluch, president of Honda R&D Americas.
"We believe that partnering together with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, companies, developers, academic institutions, are going to help us develop truly transformational new products."
To further that end, Honda also announced the expansion of its facility here and unveiled the 2016 Accord, its first Honda equipped with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Accord also featured Honda Sensing, the auto maker's multi-faceted suite of safety and driver assist technologies.
"As an industry, we are on the verge of some major transformational changes brought on by the convergence of what have been, to this point, largely disparate technology disciplines," said Paluch. "To compete and survive … we've got to embrace and help lead this convergence.
"The operations we have here … are a testament to our focus on this new direction."
Says Honda spokesman Sage Marie: "We know that the coming wave of buyers has a fundamentally different mindset. They've grown up in a connected world and they want products that support their connected lifestyles. So, where cars are concerned, the formula is pretty straightforward. Customers want smartphone-like functionality in their vehicle."
Here are some of the work-in-progress technologies on display at the launch:
UNI-CUB
It's a stool-like personal mobility device that reacts to a user's body language to create movement, forward, sideways or backward. Think Segway, only smaller, slower and with a seat. Top speed is 10 km/h. "This device is developed for elderly people that can walk but maybe cannot walk as long as they like," said Honda spokesman Eric Mauk. "Very intuitive, very easy to ride, usually within 60 seconds the rider feels good, feels confident about the device." Remote-control apps for it are on the way.
GRAB N' MOVE
Similar to something straight out of the movie Minority Report (think Tom Cruise working on his virtual "computer"), users perform a series of hand gestures over a sensor to select, for example, a side mirror to adjust it. Ditto to change the speed or direction of the airflow in the car's fan. The sensor, made by Leap Motion, costs only $79 (U.S.) and is already used in many gamer applications.
DREAM DRIVE
This prototype entertainment technology provides rear-seat passengers with a virtual-reality simulation. The user wears Oculus Rift goggles and a series of scenes – a race track, outer space, a ship at sea – appears, sending the user on an adventure that works in conjunction with to the car's actual movements. For example, the car goes over a speed bump and the user sees mist spray up from the side of the "ship". The kids may never again ask, "Are we there yet?"
V2P SAFETY
Honda and Qualcomm have developed a smartphone app that determines whether a pedestrian – one who is not yet in the driver's line of sight or who is distracted by their smartphone (talking, texting or listening to music)– is in peril of being struck by a vehicle and sends warnings to both the driver and the pedestrian. The driver's warning comes via an icon on the windshield while the pedestrian, is alerted by phone or through their earbuds. In June, this dedicated short-range communications technology snared a Best of Intelligent Transportation Systems award.
The writer was a guest of the auto maker. Content was not subject to approval.
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Darren McGee