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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
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… → Read More
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? → Read More
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. → Read More
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. → Read More
Honda announced it will begin testing its experimental walking assistant device today. The car maker will test the device, which was created to support people with weakened leg muscles but who are still able to walk on their own, in a collaboration with Shinseikai Medical Group and Kasumigaseki-Minami. Most commonly the device will be tested on elderly patients as part of their rehab program. Honda said it began working on the idea of a walking assistant device in 1999, in order to to provide more people with the “joy of mobility.” → Read More
We know you’ve all been waiting a long time for the results to come in, but Wired has named the 1989 Honda CRX HF the “Ultimate Apocalypsemobile,” citing the car’s great cargo capacity, simple and reliable engine design, and great gas mileage – 50 miles per gallon, to be exact. If Wired’s recommendation isn’t enough to persuade you, Carsurvey.org also has a bunch of reviews, most calling the ‘89 CRX things like “best small car ever made” and “a real little ripper” and saying it has “mind-bending handling.” You can pick up a used 1989 CRX for well under $10,000 if you look around a bit – many are around the $5,000 to $7,500 range. Small price to pay for apocalyptic mobility, if you ask me. → Read More
Asimo, Honda’s adorable robot that braved sniper fire in Bosnia several years ago, will conduct a special session of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra next month. The ‘bot will boss around Yo-Yo-Ma and the rest of the DSO while they perform “Impossible Dream” on May 13. The stunt is supposed to create awareness of robots in art, while at the same time encouraging local children to become more involved in music. How ’bout those Pistons, Detroit readers? Frankly, the NBA, in the interest of making money, should cut this playoff nonsense and give us Boston v. Los Angeles. Unlike the Yankees v. Red Sox feud, Bos-LA hasn’t meant a damn thing in years. → Read More
I picture myself driving my Honda through the Central District of Seattle on my way to work. It’s a nice day, my windows are down. I stop at a red light. As people cross in front of me, my robo-car chirps "Caution! This area is dangerous!" to me and those around me, then loudly locks the doors. Trouble, people. T-R-O-U-B-L-E. It will, of course, only be available in Japan for now, and I get the feeling it won’t catch on. Imagine your car telling you to be careful every day as you pull into your driveway? Even if it is based on historical data, it’s still kind of degrading, and kind of unnecessary. Who drives cars in Japan anyway? While I was there, every person I saw was either on a scooter or subway train. → Read More
This isn’t the first device we’ve seen that’s meant to help the elderly or crippled walk unassisted, but it’s certainly the most compact and user friendly thus far. Honda will demo the walking assist device that they’ve been working on since ‘99 this coming weekend in Osaka at the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly and the Disabled. Some nine years later, the device has reached the feasibility stage and attendees are welcome to try it out at the Honda booth. Damn, I wish I could go and try it out. It’s a bummer seeing old folks struggle to get around and I’m positive that my grand parents would want this. → Read More
http://www.liveleak.com/player.swf Ok, now I’m finally ready to love ASIMO. The robot can now team up with other ASIMOs and serve me drinks. Yes! Get me three, please, Honda, please! It’s Xmas, and I’ll need Egg Nog, ASIMO can bring it to me! And he doesn’t spill, and if he does, he cleans it up, and won’t feel degraded! I’m going to stop now! Honda Demos ASIMO Robot In Japan [Live Leak] → Read More
Honda will be leasing a limited number of its FCX Clarity sedans in California this upcoming summer. The cars use hydrogen fuel cells that’ll be topped off via a "home fueling station that uses a home’s existing natural gas supply to produce hydrogen." → Read More
