Honda Favors Japan Over Silicon Valley for AI Research

Honda Motor Co. is evaluating the creation of a new lab in Tokyo that would take the lead on the carmaker’s artificial intelligence research and development efforts.

If approved, the center would consolidate existing teams in Japan, Germany and Silicon Valley, Yoshiyuki Matsumoto, who heads Honda’s r&d operations, tells Bloomberg News. He says Honda could announce a final decision by next spring and open the center as early as later next year.

Selecting Tokyo over Silicon Valley would enable the AI team to work closer with Honda’s product development engineers and speed commercialization of the emerging technology, Matsumoto says. He notes  the strategy also would help Honda differentiate itself from competitors with Silicon Valley-based research teams.

Regardless of the center’s location, Honda likely will emulate some Silicon Valley practices—including flexible work hours and top salaries—to attract the best people. In addition to recruiting from major universities,  the carmaker also plans to partner with tech startups and may hire AI specialists from Silicon Valley and elsewhere as short-term consultants, Matsumoto says.

AI is expected to be a key enabling technology for autonomous and connected vehicle technologies. Honda is working to integrate its robotics technology, which it began developing 30 years ago, with next-generation sensors, actuators and navigation systems.