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Honda's UNI-CUB mobility device is the butt of ASIMO's jokes

James Trew — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:39:00 EST

Our humanoid friend ASIMO had better start counting his blessings. If fate had dealt him another hand, he could have ended up as the behind-wearing UNI-CUB. Honda's latest personal mobility device appears to be a robotic stool with an omnidirectional wheel (dubbed the Honda Omni Traction Drive System, no less). You control speed and direction of the UBI-CUB by shifting your weight in the saddle, and the unit is designed to keep you at eye-level with non chair-riding pedestrians. Obviously this is no all-terrain vehicle, but it does claim to be able to handle gradients, has a top speed of six km/h and a range just under four miles. Which should be plenty for the National Museum of Engineering in Japan where these butt-supporting bots will be demonstrated in June.

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Honda's UNI-CUB mobility device is the butt of ASIMO's jokes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 May 2012 16:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage

Sarah Silbert — Tue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 EST

The term "smart home" seems to turn up in tech circles every so often, only to fade into the background again without much sign of ultra-connected dwellings becoming a reality. Honda's at least putting one foot forward, with a just-unveiled test house in Saitama, Japan featuring a system for controlling and monitoring energy usage. The Honda Smart Home System (HSHS) consists of thin-film solar cell panels, a rechargeable home battery unit, gas and hot water supply systems and the Smart e Mix Manager. The latter is the central part of the energy-control system, and it keeps track of all the other components in addition to monitoring the home's use of power supplied by the grid. In emergency situations, it can also provide electricity via the home battery unit. On the day-to-day level, however, the system is there to let home owners know what sources of power they can kill. Honda also integrates its Japan-only Internavi system for controlling home appliances remotely. The car maker hopes to use the house for extensive demo testing, with an ultimate goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 50 percent. No word on how many decades till we actually call this sort of place home, though. Click on past the break for a look (in Japanese) at the test home's features.

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Honda test house features Smart Home System for controlling energy usage originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 May 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar-powered plane, chrome Fisker Karma and the 'blackest' solar cells ever

Inhabitat — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

With the days getting longer and the spring sun creeping into the evening hours this week, we saw a host of impressive solar energy projects that put those rays to work. Kyocera revealed their plan for Japan's largest solar farm and French company Areva announced they will be building the largest solar installation in Asia. On the other side of the globe, New York City was proud to say that it recently tripled its solar power production and a new study showed that the United States pulled ahead of China in the clean energy race this year. We also saw designs for a new solar satellite that could harvest the sun's rays 24/7 and we ogled photos of the massive array of PV panels topping the zHome complex in Washington. A team at Natcore blew away the scientific community by creating the "blackest" solar cell ever designed and Panasonic gave us a sneak peek at its shimmering, solar-powered "Photosynthesis" Ecosystem installation, which will light up the night at the Milan Furniture Fair next week.

In green transportation news, Justin Bieber's blindingly shiny chrome Fisker Karma had people talking (and putting on their sunglasses), while the former head of R&D at GM predicted that we'll see driverless cars by 2020. Honda announced that it is teaming up with Zipcar to provide EVs and hybrids to Zipsters and Ferrari confirmed that its future V12 models will have a new hybrid system. Finally, SolarWorld sent us news about their new Elektra solar-powered plane, which can fly twice as far as its predecessor.

Smart design continued to make the world a little better with innovations like this vibrating glove that lets blind people text and Montessori's Intro to Letters app, which teaches kids the alphabet. We also got back into nature (literally) with these see-through bubble tents surrounded by trees, and we reflected upon the mysterious human-shaped mirror sculptures that popped up in a Scottish forest.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: solar-powered plane, chrome Fisker Karma and the 'blackest' solar cells ever originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Apr 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: worlds largest LEGO Christmas tree, turbine powered LEDs and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle

Inhabitat — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 20:00:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

This week Inhabitat got into the spirit of the holiday season as we reported that a French firm wants to transform the Eiffel Tower into a gigantic tree, we brought you the world's largest LEGO Christmas tree, and we watched GE flip the switch on the new National Christmas Tree, which is decked out with high-tech LED lights. We also spotted a seriously sweet Star Wars AT-AT walker made entirely from gingerbread, and we shined the spotlight on the amazing life-size light-up ice palaces that rise each year at the Harbin snow festival in China.

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Honda Fit EV goes lease-only for 2012, should hit US next summer for $399 per month (video)

Zach Honig — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 13:32:00 EST

If you're looking to buy a car to keep around for the long-haul (200,000 miles, anyone?), then Honda should probably near the top of your list. That's why we're a bit surprised to see that next year's all-electric Fit won't have a purchase option -- not initially, at least. The car does carry an MSRP of $36,625, but at this point that figure will be used for little more than to calculate the approximately $399 per month lease fee. If your credit's up to snuff and you end up behind the wheel, expect the 20-kWh lithium-ion battery to provide an estimated city range of 123 miles, with a combined rating of 76 miles. The on-board 6.6-kW 32-amp charger juices up the battery in as little as three hours with level-two EVSE. You can expect the all-blue Fit to reach parts of California and Oregon next summer, with East Coast dealers stocking the EV by 2013. Only 1,100 cars are expected to reach U.S. shores, however, so you may want to add your local Honda dealer to the holiday card list -- it certainly can't hurt your chances of getting Fit next summer.

Gallery: Honda Fit EV eyes-on

Dante Cesa contributed to this report.

Continue reading Honda Fit EV goes lease-only for 2012, should hit US next summer for $399 per month (video)

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Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month

Dante Cesa — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:44:00 EST

Honda fans, hope you're down for some last-minute tickets to Japan, as the automaker plans to release not one, but seven (!) stunning concepts at the upcoming Tokyo Motor show. Ranging from plug-in hybrids to electric motorcycles, we're most stoked about the Small Sports EV -- a dashing two-seat roadster that reminds us stylistically of BMW's i8. Details are light, but Honda promises that it'll be fun to drive, yet also achieve "excellent environmental performance." Alongside it is the plug-in hybrid AC-X, which looks like an LED-ridden redux of the lease-only FCX. And finally, there's the Micro Commuter concept, which despite looking the least production-ready of the three, gets kudos for having a dedicated spot to load the accompanying Motor Compo EV motorcycle. Not much else to report on all seven this far out, but that doesn't mean you can't ogle at photos of these three and their motorcycle brethren at the links below.

Continue reading Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month

Honda's Small Sports EV concept proves electric can be svelte, comes to Tokyo Motor Show next month originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 19:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's ASIMO robot sheds a few pounds, gets all autonomous on us (video)

Amar Toor — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:39:00 EST

We've already seen it dance, sing and read minds, but Honda's ASIMO humanoid has now taken that one great leap into decidedly more dystopian territory. The revamped bot, pictured above (and apparently doing its best Herman Cain impression), was unveiled today in Japan, sporting a streamlined physique and scarily adept mind. In fact, Honda claims that its bot is now less "automated" than it is "autonomous" -- all thanks to new behavior control technology that allows it to move and make decisions on its own, independent of human operators. Its external recognition capability and set of onboard visual and auditory sensors enable it to rapidly process information about its environment, which the ASIMO then uses to plot its next move. Combining long- and short-term sensor data, the droid can predict human movements and automatically recognize voices or gestures. Because of this, Honda says, the ASIMO could be more easily integrated within social environments, and peacefully coexist with its human ~~prey~~ counterparts.

Physically, meanwhile, the robot's looking svelter than ever, having shed a full six kilograms. It can now run at a maximum speed of 9 kilometers per hour, jump up and down for as long as it wants, and even hop on one leg, should it ever need to. Plus, its hands are now more dexterous than ever, thanks to new independent finger control functions that allow it to handle the most delicate of tasks -- like pouring you a stiff one after work, or before your inevitable demise. Check out more images in the gallery below, or hop past the break for a video and accompanying press release.

Gallery: Honda Robotics ASIMO robot

Continue reading Honda's ASIMO robot sheds a few pounds, gets all autonomous on us (video)

Honda's ASIMO robot sheds a few pounds, gets all autonomous on us (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 02:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: CR-V hybrid, Facebook's server farm and robot costumes

Inhabitat — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:19:00 EST

The world of green tech presented us with some neat tricks and eco-treats this week from this plan to 3D print new shells for homeless hermit crabs to this handy LeafSnap app that helps you identify all different kinds of fall foliage to an energy-efficient UFO hotel room, which recently "landed" in the forests of Sweden. Speaking of spaceships, we also spotted this Star Trek Enterprise feeding system for babies (you're never too young to live long and prosper) as well as plans for a massive nuclear-powered airport/airplane that could fly as many as 3,000 passengers through the sky, and Philips showed off its eerie and futuristic bacteria-powered lamps. In honor of All Hallow's Eve, we rounded up the top six creepiest buildings of all time as well as six spooky churches made of bones. And just in case you missed the craziest Halloween story of the week, check these photos of a trio of ghastly zombies bursting out of the world's largest pumpkin's hell, er, shell.

On the green transportation front, we took the Honda CR-V hybrid for a spin and came across news that Tesla will reintroduce its sexy roadster in 2014. We also saw that GM is working on cars that could drop drivers off at their destinations and even park themselves, and the auto giant impressed us even further by joining Ford and Chrysler, who are working closely with engineering students from the University of Michigan Solar Car Team to create viable solar-powered cars for the future. But if you can't wait that long, this Solarship is a blimp-like solar-powered airship that actually exists today.

In tech news, Facebook announced that they'll be building a fancy new server farm in the Arctic. And speaking of cold weather, we also spotted where this clever Umbrella coat that has a handy umbrella instead of a hood - perfect for rainy fall days. A new study showing that TV is officially harmful to children under two confirmed some of our suspicions and we also saw news of a judge who ruled that cell phone warnings be blocked in San Francisco.

If you're planning on dressing up for Halloween, don't forget to enter our Green Halloween costume contest (or your kids in our Inhabitots costume contest) for some frightfully fabulous prizes. If you need some inspiration, we've got a slew of techie costume ideas you could cobble together from things you already own like this delightful iPhone getup or this homemade robot outfit.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: CR-V hybrid, Facebook's server farm and robot costumes originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: Civic hybrid gets driven, AT-AT dog costume gets worn

Inhabitat — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:57:00 EST

Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green.

Incredible feats of green architecture reached for the sky this week as Inhabitat reported that the world's first vertical forest skyscraper is rising in Milan and an outdoor cinema made entirely from refrigerators popped up in London. We also took a look inside a crazy mountain lodge that resembles a hill-like hobbit high-rise and we spotted a Finnish hotel that rents out glass-domed geodesic igloos for viewing the northern lights. We also launched a brand new video that takes an inside look at this year's winning Solar Decathlon homes, we kicked off a contest where you can win one of 25 $600 home energy audits, and we learned that China's coal-powered energy grid negates the green benefits of electric vehicles.

Speaking of green transportation, this week we caught a glimpse of several next-generation electric vehicle technologies as Nissan unveiled a ten minute electric vehicle charger and Chevrolet announced plans to produce a Spark mini EV. We also took Honda's new Civic hybrid for a spin, and we learned that Tesla's new Model S sedan will be powered by highly efficient Panasonic batteries. Meanwhile, Virgin Atlantic announced plans to cut its carbon footprint in half by fueling airplanes with waste gas and Germany announced that 100 percent of its trains will run on renewable energy by 2050.

In other news, techy fashion got a jolt of affordability as we spotted an economical LED jacket for night cyclists and runners, and we took a look at the story behind Steve Jobs' iconic black turtlenecks. We also got into the Halloween spirit by bringing you an adorable Star Wars AT-AT costume for dogs, and we showcased a creepy set of "stained glass" windows made from x-rays. Finally, we shined the spotlight on India's solar-powered water ATMs, and we brought you a can't-miss set of tips for recycling e-waste.

Continue reading Inhabitat's Week in Green: Civic hybrid gets driven, AT-AT dog costume gets worn

Inhabitat's Week in Green: Civic hybrid gets driven, AT-AT dog costume gets worn originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Oct 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASIMO mimics your every move, edges closer towards Single White Robot territory (video)

Joseph Volpe — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:39:00 EST

Hey, look Engadgeteers! It's another Kinect hack -- except this one uses a real deal robot. Honda ushered ASIMO out to the crowds at IEEE's 2011 International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems to show off its newly acquired pop and lock skills. Alright, so the silicon-gutted fella can't krump with the best of'em yet, but he can probably do the locomotion -- it all depends on your dance repertoire. After toiling away in their mad scientist lairs, the researchers behind the bot have managed to devise a means of mimicking human movement that translates mapped points on a user's upper body into real-time, robot-replicated motion. The devious among you are likely imagining left-of-center uses for the tech, but let us deflate that mischievous balloon; there'll be no instances of "stop hitting yourself ASIMO" here, as engineers have built-in collision and stability safeguards. The so-lifelike-it's-Uncanny advancements don't end there either, since ASIMO also contains a database of text-inspired gestures -- giving our future robot friend a means of physically expressing his cold, "I hate you so much right now" robo-tone. Other than finding himself at home in Italy, these innovations are sure to put ASIMO on the other end of our remote-controlled behest. Click on past the break to see this automated mime drop it like it's hot.

Continue reading ASIMO mimics your every move, edges closer towards Single White Robot territory (video)

ASIMO mimics your every move, edges closer towards Single White Robot territory (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK gets first hydrogen refueling station, Honda lot graciously plays host

Joseph Volpe — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:11:00 EST

UK-based treehuggers can bust out the internet high fives now. Merry ol' Swindon just got the British isles' first ever commercial hydrogen refueling station. Part of a collaborative effort between industrial gas company BOC (which built and maintains the pumps), the Forward Swindon economic initiative and Honda, owners can roll their clean energy machines into the automaker's manufacturing lot for a fill-up. BOC's hoping the experience, which reportedly looks and functions much like a traditional gas station, will serve as an example of the private - public partnerships required to rollout infrastructure for alternative energy adoption. So, it's good news for the fuel cell-equipped handful of you cruising about Swindon town, or just passing through on a 'round the world tour. Of course, no official word as to whether Tilda Swinton plans to officiate the opening. Official PR after the break.

Continue reading UK gets first hydrogen refueling station, Honda lot graciously plays host

UK gets first hydrogen refueling station, Honda lot graciously plays host originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors

Tim Stevens — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:33:00 EST

Though Terminal Mode has always been an open standard we've never really seen any tech companies outside of Espoo show much interest in the stuff, which lets a car mirror a phone's display. When Nokia sort of shifted gears and signed on with Microsoft that left us wondering what would be next for the company's infotainment efforts. Good things, as it turns out. The Car Connectivity Consortium has been founded to drive "global innovation for in-vehicle connectivity," and both Terminal Mode and Nokia will play a big part -- though a bigger part will be played by Daimler, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and VW. They're joined by electronics companies Alpine, LG, Panasonic, and Samsung, making us think that maybe Terminal Mode's time has properly come. Also on the docket for the CCC is study of NFC, which will hopefully standardize the sort of awesome key interactivity BMW recently showed off.

Continue reading Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors

Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony, Subaru, and Toyota close factories in wake of earthquake, other companies check in

Tim Stevens — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:07:00 EST

Our thoughts this morning are with the folks in Japan and the other Pacific areas affected by the massive 8.9 earthquake that struck about 230 miles East of Tokyo. Reports of damage are flooding in from the country, and indeed many familiar manufacturers are checking in. Sony and Toyota have both stopped operations in their factories due to damage. Tragically, one Honda worker lost his life after a wall collapsed, while several Panasonic workers are said to have suffered minor injuries. It remains to be seen exactly what impacts this will have on consumers, but Sony's closed factories were responsible for the production of Blu-ray discs and batteries, while the numerous automotive shutdowns could result in short-term shortages. This bad news sent stocks downward, with German share prices for Sony dropping 2.5 percent and Honda 4.5 percent. We're still watching with concern to see what other impacts the resultant tsunamis could have, but for now we'll keep hoping for the best.

Update: Some further news from Smarthouse, which indicates that Sharp's new 10G LCD plant in Sakai City shut itself down automatically upon first signs of a quake. Hooray for technology.

Sony, Subaru, and Toyota close factories in wake of earthquake, other companies check in originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda to unveil new EV in Geneva, said to 'hint strongly' at what the Fit EV will look like

Tim Stevens — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:09:00 EST

Wondering what the electric version of Honda's Fit will look like? We figure it'll look an awful lot like the normal Honda Fit, but if that's not enough for you then gaze upon the concept above. It's set to be unveiled soon in Geneva, called simply the "Honda EV Concept." The company Soichiro built promises it "hints strongly at the direction and styling for Honda's upcoming production battery electric vehicle, the Fit EV," which is due to hit the US and Japan next year. Honda will also show off a new plug-in hybrid architecture, though based on what you can see in the pictures below there's a good chance it'll be making an appearance without a body. Should be a light one, then.

Gallery: Honda Geneva EV prototypes

Continue reading Honda to unveil new EV in Geneva, said to 'hint strongly' at what the Fit EV will look like

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13 Japanese companies join to further fuel cell adoption, also plan to ride bikes together

Tim Stevens — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:16:00 EST

What's going to spin the tires in your car of the future? Will it even have tires? Right now it looks like either hydrogen fuel cells or pure EVs will be dominating the streets in a few decades, and thankfully they share enough technology for us to think they can peacefully co-exist -- just like Apple and Microsoft fanboys and girls have been known to host really great parties together where they engage in long, respectful discussions regarding their differing opinions. However, while EVs are already well on their way, for fuel cells to take off we're going to need more hydrogen filling stations and more cooperation between auto manufacturers. That's happening now in Japan, with 13 companies -- Toyota, Nissan, and Honda along with a number of gas and utilities companies -- joining forces to enable a "smooth domestic launch" of fuel cell vehicles as soon as 2015. They hope to create about 100 hydrogen stations across the country, work to form a broader hydrogen supply network, and also educate people about FCVs in general. We'll give them a head start by letting you know that stands for "Fuel Cell Vehicle," though they're also often called FCEVs, or "Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles." Bam! Two items off the to-do list.

Continue reading 13 Japanese companies join to further fuel cell adoption, also plan to ride bikes together

13 Japanese companies join to further fuel cell adoption, also plan to ride bikes together originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda shows off Fit EV concept at LA Auto Show, we hope to see it again

Tim Stevens — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST

The Fit is a well regarded car here at Engadget HQ, models finding their ways into the garages and parking lots of three separate staffers, all of whom are now saying things like "ooooh" and "shiny" while looking at the lovely blue model Honda brought along to show off at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It's just a concept at this point, delivering the current standard 100 miles of range while managing a 90mph top speed, more or less matching the Nissan Leaf we recently sampled and inspiring us all to call our electricians for quotes on quick-charger installs. Sadly we have plenty of time to save up for those, with the Fit EV not hitting production until sometime in 2012~~, and Honda not making any promises about US availability. To that we say "boo."~~

Update: Scratch that, Honda has confirmed 2012 US availability for the Fit. Full press release is below! "Whoo!"

Continue reading Honda shows off Fit EV concept at LA Auto Show, we hope to see it again

Honda shows off Fit EV concept at LA Auto Show, we hope to see it again originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda will bring plug-in hybrids, full EVs to United States in 2012

Sean Hollister — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:54:00 EST

Though they probably won't look anything like Honda's adorable EV-N, the Japanese automaker's got some new technological vehicles up its sleeves -- in a speech today, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito formally announced plans to produce a plug-in hybrid competitor for Toyota's flashy new PHEV Prius by 2012, which rumor has it will sport an estimated fuel economy (when it's using fuel, we assume) of roughly around 140 miles per gallon. Better still, a completely battery-powered electrical vehicle will also go on sale by 2012, and you won't have to fly to Japan to try them out, as they're slated for the States as well. Hydrogen fuel cells are apparently still Honda's long-term solution, though the FCX Clarity received only a passing mention. In the short term, Honda's still circling the wagons around part-gasoline systems like the Civic (which will receive a Li-ion battery pack) and the Fit Hybrid, destined for Japan this fall.

Honda will bring plug-in hybrids, full EVs to United States in 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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125cc motorcycle + DIY fiberglass fairing = 214mpg, super cool looks

Tim Stevens — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:39:00 EST

While the quest for alternate fuels goes on, so too other peoples' search for the ultimate in economy while running on good 'ol petrol. Allert Jacobs DIY creation reaches near the pinnacle of two-wheeled efficiency, almost doubling the stock Honda Innova 125i's 114mpg rating. He hand-crafted the fiberglass shell above, which slides forward to allow easy egress and looks rather close to the dustbin fairings post-WWII race bikes used to achieve incredible speeds -- before they were banned in 1958 due to crosswind instability. No word on what Jacobs' creation is like to ride in a stiff gale, but we must say his bike looks rather more badass than the stock model.

[Photo credit: Hans Pieterse]

125cc motorcycle + DIY fiberglass fairing = 214mpg, super cool looks originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car (video)

Tim Stevens — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:42:00 EST

Hydrogen-powered cars, like Honda's FCX Clarity, face a lot of hurdles, not the least of which being a fuel source requiring more energy to produce than it in turn gives out as energy. Honda is showing one way to mitigate that with its conceptual home-based recharging station. It relies on a six-kilowatt solar array to power an electrolyzer, splitting water molecules into hydrogen atoms. Eight hours of sunlight generates a half-kilogram of hydrogen, enough for the FCX to cover about 30 miles -- your average commute. However, there are some obvious concerns, not the least of which being that massive solar array (shown on the right in the picture above), which is twice the size of car it's powering. Then there's the cost, and while Honda isn't saying how much this might set you back if it ever did come to production, we're guessing it'd make the JFE Engineering's $60k quick charger look like something of a bargain.

Continue reading Honda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car (video)

Honda shows off conceptual, solar-powered station to refill your conceptual, hydrogen-powered car (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fake car makes room for a fake ASIMO to be your fake driving companion

Paul Miller — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:39:00 EST

You know, we're realists, and we know deep down that cars in the future are going to drive themselves just fine without a humanoid robot to grab the controls and peer out of specially crafted front compartments. Even if a humanoid was doing the steering, he'd probably just jack into the car's full complement of cameras and sensors, merely using his CPU to plot a course from his comfy charging bay in the trunk. But we want to believe. Designer Derek Chik Kin Ng has come up with this Honda concept (one which we're guessing has no official collaboration with Honda) that packs a nice little front seat for your 8th gene ASIMO. The bot can hop out of the car and help you on your errands, make casual conversation as you drive, warn you of upcoming hazards, or take over controls when you're in the mood for some SpaceChess2000. Only thing he can't do? Actually exist.

Fake car makes room for a fake ASIMO to be your fake driving companion originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan plans mind-reading robots and brain interface devices 'by 2020'

Vlad Savov — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:04:00 EST

Our grandparents did warn us that laziness would get us in trouble. The Japanese government and private sector are, according to the Nikkei, all set to begin work on a collaborative new project to develop thought-controlled gadgets, devices ... and robots. The aim is to produce brain-to-computer interfaces that would allow the ability to change channels or pump out texts just with your almighty brain power, while also facilitating artificial intelligence that would be capable of detecting when you're hungry, cold, or in need of assistance. Manufacturing giants Toyota, Honda and Hitachi get name-dropped as potential participants in this 10-year plan, though we wonder if any of them will have the sense to ask what happens when an ultra-precise and emotionless bot is given both intelligence and mind-reading powers. Would it really stick to dunking biscuits in our tea, or would it prefer something a little more exciting?

Japan plans mind-reading robots and brain interface devices 'by 2020' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget rides the Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device! (video)

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EST

We just had a chance to go hands... er, rear-on with Honda's latest R&D experiment, the U3-X Personal Mobility Device, and we've got the say -- it was a moving experience. If you'll recall, the tiny, uni-wheeled unit is built on the same balancing principles which the company's ASIMO uses, and utilizes the world's first omni-directional driving wheel system. What does all that mean? Well, it means that when you sit down on the thing, it moves in whatever direction you lean in, however slightly. The experience is kind of amazing, as it requires very little effort on the rider, and though you feel like you could easily go flying off of the U3-X, you always retain a solid center of balance. As opposed to something like the company's Walking Assist devices (which you can see us taking for a spin right here), this is a totally effortless experience. It just goes where you want it to -- almost by suggestion. There's no telling if Honda will ever bring something like this to market -- they're notorious for crazy projects that never see the light of day on store shelves -- but it's an amazing look into the potential future of transportation. If you thought the Segway was a little big for your taste, this could be the answer to your prayers. As far as we're concerned, now that we've taken a ride on the U3-X, walking just feels like a chore. See for yourself what it looks and feels like in the video after the break!

Gallery: Honda U3-X press shots

Gallery: Eyes-on the Honda U3-X

Continue reading Engadget rides the Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device! (video)

Engadget rides the Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device! (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Apr 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ASIMO slims down, gains new capabilities in latest revision

Donald Melanson — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:51:00 EST

We've been hearing about a few of ASIMO's new tricks as of late, and it looks like Honda's now finally showing off some of its hard work. The most noticeable change is that ASIMO (now sporting the P4 designation) has shed over one hundred pounds, and now weighs in at a slight 176 pounds -- letting it slip into a stylish new blue cover for its torso. That weight loss also comes with some added mobility, with the P4 boasting 34 degrees of freedom (four more than its predecessor), and a more flexible waist that makes it more adept at walking and even dancing. Yeah, we're as sad as everyone that there's no video yet, but you can at least check out few more pics at the link below.

Update: It turns out this is not an updated ASIMO model, but rather an earlier ASIMO prototype that has only just been revealed at the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan. ASIMO's current dancing ability remains a mystery.

ASIMO slims down, gains new capabilities in latest revision originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Electric Green School motorcycle shows its rebel nature by running Linux

Tim Stevens — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:21:00 EST

Electric motorcycles are getting more and more common, and while we don't think they'll ever quite capture the rush of an internal-combustion engine threatening to fly into bits as it screams toward red-line, they are starting to offer their own... unique charms. This model is a Norwegian prototype, based on a Honda chassis that had its tail chopped and motor stripped, replaced by stacks of Nickel-Metal batteries, then wrapped in some custom bodywork. The bike sports a touchscreen dash powered by Ubuntu that offers both stats about the bike (speed, temperature, etc.) as well as GPS navigation and, presumably, on the go games of Tux Racer. It's a one-off built by Green School Motorcycles and Akershus University College, and there's plenty more information about it in a video at the source link below -- if you speak Norwegian.

Update: We have a slightly more flattering picture courtesy of Robert at Green School Motorcycles.

[Thanks, dsbilling]

Electric Green School motorcycle shows its rebel nature by running Linux originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda shows off three-wheeled 3R-C concept vehicle

Donald Melanson — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:22:00 EST

Dig the idea of something like GM's P.U.M.A. personal transporter but wish it would make you want to say pew pew pew whenever you're driving? Then feast your eyes on the Honda 3R-C concept that's just been announced in advance of the Geneva Motor Show. Nothing even approaching a roll-out date, as you might expect, but the three-wheeled vehicle would apparently use a battery electric drivetrain mounted low in the chassis for improved stability, and it even includes a bit of room for storage in the front, along with a clear canopy that apparently shifts to a windshield to give the "pilot" a bit more headroom. Not much else in the way of details, unfortunately, but Honda might have a bit more to say after its official unveiling in Geneva next week.

Honda shows off three-wheeled 3R-C concept vehicle originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Asimo learns to sing and dance, but has yet to learn how to love

Joseph L. Flatley — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:06:00 EST

From parade appearances to his most recent star turn at Sundance, it looks like Asimo's re-invention as a song-and-dance man continues unabated. Most recently, those crazy intellectual property lawyers-cum-bloggers at Stamoulis & Weinblatt, LLC have hepped us to a patent app in Honda's name that describes a robot that can not only pick up a beat and dance along, but recognize the tune and sing its lyrics as well. The latter is accomplished by a wide array of techno-stuff, including a "sound collecting unit," a "voice signal generating unit" capable of both scat singing and singing singing, a "self-vocalized voice regulating unit," and more. As far as the dancing goes, the application implies that it has something to do with a "beat interval estimating unit" and a "beat time reliability calculating unit," although we like to believe that the automaton learned to dance the way grandpa did -- from Arthur Murray on West 57th Street in Manhattan.

Asimo learns to sing and dance, but has yet to learn how to love originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Asimo stars in Living With Robots, promises not to forget the 'little people' (video)

Joseph L. Flatley — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:06:00 EST

When we saw Asimo do his Fred Astaire act a while back we knew he had star quality -- and now it looks like the feisty robot is finally getting his big break. Living With Robots, which just premiered at Sundance Film Festival, was directed by Joe Berlinger (who directed Metallica's Some Kind of Monster) and tells the story of a humanoid robot that gets stranded at home while his family flies overseas for Christmas. Instead of calling the police, he stays home -- alone -- and bravely fights off Joe Pesci and some other guy whose name we can't remember. [Editor's note: This is patently untrue. Actually, the film promises to investigate "humankind's keen interest in robots and how robots can challenge the impossible by saving lives while also holding the promise to become more integrated and helpful in daily life." So there.] Interested? We bet you are! Check out the PR, and the eight minute ~~commercial~~ short film, after the break.

Continue reading Asimo stars in Living With Robots, promises not to forget the 'little people' (video)

Asimo stars in Living With Robots, promises not to forget the 'little people' (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's P-NUT concept is big on puns, short on realism

Paul Miller — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST

We get it, Honda, you got some of your crack acronymists on the job and hobbled together Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) to vaguely describe this new concept car. But the car itself? It's interesting, we'll give it that. The primary idea seems to be the single seat in front for the driver, with two rear seats in the leg-room optimized "flanking" positions. There's also a modular rear engine bay for working with a regular internal combustion engine, hybrid setup or pure electric power, along with a heads up display in the front windshield. It seems fun, and we like all the legroom, but we won't start building any locomotion dreams upon the thin, salty shell of P-NUT just yet. Video is after the break.

Continue reading Honda's P-NUT concept is big on puns, short on realism

Honda's P-NUT concept is big on puns, short on realism originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's U3-X taken for an awkward squat (video)

Thomas Ricker — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:14:00 EST

The granola girls over at Autoblog Green had the rare opportunity to test out the quirky little U3-X on a visit to the Honda R&D center in Japan. You remember: the self-balancing unicycle that fits in a car door and relies on an inclinometer (not gyroscope) to know which way is up. In essence it balances the rider like a broomstick held on-end in the palm of the end. Autoblog calls it "far more intriguing than a Segway" due largely to the Honda Omni Traction (HOT) drive system that allows the personal transporter to move forward, back, and left and right on a series of small wheels. Unfortunately, Honda wouldn't let anyone peek underneath to see the magic. When turned on the U3-X stands upright making small motions to maintain balance. And as awkward as it looks, riding the U3-X "couldn't be easier" -- like a Segway you just lean ever so subtly in the direction you want to go. It will tip over if the rider leans too far or too fast but it's apparently very simple and intuitive to keep upright. The 20-pound model tested was designed for indoor use only and booked along at an overdue-toilet-break pace of 4MPH. Check it out in the video after the break.

Continue reading Honda's U3-X taken for an awkward squat (video)

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Honda's U3-X taken for an awkward squat (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's timeless Super Cub motorcycle showcased with a touch of EV

Ross Miller — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:36:00 EST

The world's best-selling motorcycle of all time (60 million as of May 2008) is dipping its gears into the EV industry. Honda unveiled this week at the Tokyo Auto Show an electric version of its Super Cub motorcycle. Seeing as the gas-based equivalent can already get over 300 miles per gallon, we wonder just how more efficient this new concept could be. Honda reps told Wired it's a concept designed "to be just as functional and convenient" as its brother bike, so if it does reach mass market, we're holding out hope it also maintains that low price point.

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Honda's timeless Super Cub motorcycle showcased with a touch of EV originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda EV-N Concept tucks U3-X personal transporter inside door

Thomas Ricker — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:14:00 EST

Look, we admit it: Honda's U3-X unicycle gave us a bit of a chuckle when we first peeped the video last week. Now look at this, just look at it! Not only does the Honda EV-N Concept steal all the best retro styling from the classic Fiat 500 (or Honda 600 closer to home), it also integrates the miniscule U3-X electric transporter directly into its passenger door frame -- adding an additional 22-pounds, at least, in the process. Oh, and this little guy's electric with a solar roof panel. The EV-N will makes its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show next month where we hope to give it a great big hug just for showing up. A few more pics after the break, fully gallery just beyond that read link.

Continue reading Honda EV-N Concept tucks U3-X personal transporter inside door

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Honda EV-N Concept tucks U3-X personal transporter inside door originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's U3-X Personal Mobility Device is the Segway of unicycles

Paul Miller — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:27:00 EST

Yeah, we've seen a self-balancing unicycle before, but the brand new U3-X from Honda takes it to another level. A creepy-sterile, awesomely futuristic Honda level, to be precise. What makes the U3-X particularly interesting is it has the regular large wheel of a unicycle, but that wheel is actually made up of several small wheels in a series, which can rotate independently, meaning that the device can go forward, backward, side-to-side and diagonally, all being controlled with a simple lean. Honda credits its ASIMO research for this multi-directional capability, though we're not sure we see it -- ASIMO is biped, after all -- but far be it from us to discredit an excuse to keep up the good work on the ASIMO front. Right now the "experimental model" of the U3-X gets a single hour of battery and weighs under 22 pounds, with a seat and foot rests that fold into the device for extra portability. No word of course on when the thing might make it to market, but Honda plans to show it off next month at the Tokyo Motor Show. A devastatingly short video of the U3-X in action is after the break.

Continue reading Honda's U3-X Personal Mobility Device is the Segway of unicycles

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Honda's U3-X Personal Mobility Device is the Segway of unicycles originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest ASIMO prototype is made of wood, requires one human

Donald Melanson — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:23:00 EST

Honda may have bestowed plenty of improvements on ASIMO over the years, but it looks like an alumni of rival robot maker Waseda University has taken it upon himself to deliver some improvements of his own that make it even more lifelike, though no doubt just as prone to tumbles. The key, it seems, is to ditch the robotics and high-tech materials altogether and instead use something called "wood," which can be fashioned into a shell (or "costume," if you will) that's able to accommodate one slightly uncomfortable human. Either that, or ASIMO has been robot-napped from Honda and is now being held at an undisclosed location. Check out the video after the break to decide for yourself.

Continue reading Latest ASIMO prototype is made of wood, requires one human

Filed under: Robots, Wearables

Latest ASIMO prototype is made of wood, requires one human originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Researchers teach ASIMO and HRP-2 a bit of real life Frogger

Paul Miller — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:48:00 EST

Some George Costanza-types at Carnegie Mellon have repurposed their own hard earned knowledge of Frogger maneuvers at the university arcade into useful object avoidance techniques for robots. They've outfitted both ASIMO and HRP-2 with versions of the technology, which allows the robots to detect their surroundings, create 3D maps of obstacles and plan routes accordingly (and actually has nothing to do with Frogger). If you check out the two videos after the break, you can see that these guys really put the bots through the ringer, including some death defying spinning obstacles that ASIMO avoided with ease, and the "real life" environment the HRP-2 is faced with... but seriously, couldn't they just let ASIMO have the blue dot already?

[Thanks, Poly Bug]

Continue reading Researchers teach ASIMO and HRP-2 a bit of real life Frogger

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Researchers teach ASIMO and HRP-2 a bit of real life Frogger originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget goes legs-on with Honda's walking-assist devices (with video!)

Joshua Topolsky — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:34:00 EST

helps with correct stride and assistance for forward movement, and the other which is meant for supporting your weight while doing tasks that require lots of bending at the knee. The former is intended to help the elderly, the disabled and those suffering from muscle or joint weakness walk more easily, and the latter is geared towards workers who are constantly performing leg and knee movements that can cause strain or injury. Since most of the editors at Engadget are unnaturally, monstrously large (like if Frankenstein and The Thing had a child out of wedlock) -- and could therefore only fit into one of the devices -- we brought along our more reasonably sized intern, Kevin Wong, to step up into the other's shoes (which he did with aplomb). Perhaps the most interesting facts we went away with today were about Honda's attitude on their new technology; they seemed adamantly against selling the stride-boosting stilts to the military, but they do plan on selling them at a consumer level (a la car and motorcycle sales), and... they didn't seem too keen on our ideas about outfitting our "gang" with them for help doing murders. Oh well. Check out the wildly entertaining video of all the action after the break, and enjoy a swim in the stacked gallery below.

Update: Since some of you have asked, we'll try to explain a little like what walking with the legs (the ones in the above picture at least) was like. Firstly, the leg motors run on a kind of timer, once you start moving, the computer on-board gets a "sense" of how quickly you'll be walking and begins to push and pull the motor to that rhythm. As you speed up or slow down, you can feel that "timer" catching up. The general feeling wasn't that it was adding that much to our movement -- it's obviously intended for those with some issues already, not people who are necessarily walking normally. Still, you could definitely feel the "legs" exerting a kind of tension on your muscles as you moved back and forth, and the feeling of having more power in your gait was absolutely present. Kevin's description of the second unit was that it was more difficult to walk (and there was no push / pull of a timer), but that he could sense the unit supporting his weight -- though it wasn't as if he could simply put all of his weight on the device. That unit certainly seemed to have a more substantial impact for those without a medical issue or related impediment. If you've got more specific questions, feel free to let us know in comments and we'll try to answer them!

Gallery: Engadget goes legs-on with Honda's walking-assist devices

Continue reading Engadget goes legs-on with Honda's walking-assist devices (with video!)

Filed under: Robots, Transportation, Wearables

Engadget goes legs-on with Honda's walking-assist devices (with video!) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iRobot says its Warrior bot is more human than ASIMO

Donald Melanson — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:12:00 EST

Is a humanoid robot inherently more human than your average task-specific bot? iRobot apparently doesn't think so, and it's taken square aim at one of the most popular humanoid bots around to make its point. That argument arose in a recent interview with CNET News, where iRobot CEO Colin Angle responded to a question about humanoid robots by flatly asking, "why would you want to make a humanoid robot?," adding that they might be good for movies or those looking for a robot companion, "but other than that, most tasks are best tackled by designs that are not constrained by trying to look like a person." He then goes on to note that Honda's ASIMO "requires a team of 10 or 15 people to maintain it, it can walk about, maybe, half a meter per second and in some situations climb stairs over the course of a few minutes, and if it ever falls down, it's a paperweight." On the other hand, iRobot's Warrior bot, he says, "can take a 10-foot drop onto concrete, drive 20 miles an hour, drive up stairs without stopping at full speed, carry 200 pounds of payload and has, maybe, five motors," which means it can "go nearly everywhere a human can." So, Angle says, "you look at these things and say, which one of these is a robot human? The answer is, Warrior." Is it? Or, deep down, is there a little bit of ASIMO in all of us?

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iRobot says its Warrior bot is more human than ASIMO originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's ASIMO could be thought controlled in Spaceballs 2

Thomas Ricker — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:31:00 EST

Sorry, that's not actually Dark Helmet, it's a researcher demonstrating the latest Brain Machine Interface (BMI) cooked up for robotics. While it's not looking too portable, it's a far nimbler setup than the original MRI Scanner first concocted by Honda to control robots in near real-time back in 2006. This time, Honda Research Institute in coordination with Advanced Telecommunications Research (ATR) and Shimadzu Corporation have achieved robotic thought control using a sensor cap to measure electrical potential on the scalp and cerebral blood flow. While we've seen much of this BMI tech applied to video games in the past, Honda claims its technology achieves the world's highest accuracy at 90% without special training. Impressive, even though it's clearly R&D work for now. Check the video after the break.

Gallery: Honda's brain-controlled ASIMO

[Via Akihabara News]

Continue reading Honda's ASIMO could be thought controlled in Spaceballs 2

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Honda's ASIMO could be thought controlled in Spaceballs 2 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda's "Let it Shine" commercial turns a grid of Insights into giant LED display

Paul Miller — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:09:00 EST

ASIMO and his Earth-loving robot compadres pulling the strings at Honda have once again managed to find a way to save us humans from ourselves. All it took was an affordable hybrid, apparently, and Honda is showing off its new Insight by turning those LED headlights into one gigantic animated Lite-Brite in an upcoming commercial. The spot's called "Let it Shine," and the video's after the break. Hit up the read link for the making of video and a detailed carbon footprint breakdown of the shoot -- you know you want to.

Continue reading Honda's "Let it Shine" commercial turns a grid of Insights into giant LED display

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

Honda's "Let it Shine" commercial turns a grid of Insights into giant LED display originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Honda Insight's Eco Assist nags like a backseat hippie

Thomas Ricker — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:42:00 EST

Honda's new 5-passenger "Insight" hybrid just went on sale in Japan. The ¥1,890,000 (about $20,750) hatchback's 1.3l i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist features Honda's new Ecological Assist system that helps correct your wasteful driving habits. Eco Assist features an ECON mode (via dashboard button) that adjusts the engine output to conserve energy and increases regenerative recharging during deceleration. It also features Guidance and Scoring modes that adjust the background color of the speedometer and presents more (or less) leaves on the ~~dashboard~~ multi-information display to reflect your current level of fuel efficiency. The idea is simple: as your driving "improves" both your bank account and the environment will benefit. The Insight is expected to make its way to your local amber waves of grain or purple mountain majesty dealership in April, Europe in March. Skip ahead to 1:40 in the video posted after the break for the full Eco Assist rundown.

Continue reading Video: Honda Insight's Eco Assist nags like a backseat hippie

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Video: Honda Insight's Eco Assist nags like a backseat hippie originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Feb 2009 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E-paper signs being tested in Tokyo for disaster prevention

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:38:00 EST

While we're still waiting for our electronic broadsheet (hell, we'll settle for a tabloid) it looks like folks in Toshima will be seeing quite a bit of the e-paper as they hit the streets of this Tokyo ward. In a test conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the signage has been installed in the proximity of the Toshima Life and Industry Plaza, where a wireless network was established to provide updates in case of an emergency. There are currently two signs: one in the lobby of the post office measures over three meters across and sports 240 x 768 resolution (the paper has 4mm pixels), and holds down power consumption at about 24W. Stationed at the Higashi-Ikebukuro bus stop, the second sign is 60 x 40 centimeters with 144 x 96 resolution, and power consumption here is about 9W. The test will run until January 29th, after which point the city will have to rely upon its usual civil defense repertoire -- which is believed to include the vigilant eye of Honda's 49-foot ASIMO.

Filed under: Displays

E-paper signs being tested in Tokyo for disaster prevention originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 03:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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