Honda Opens New Silicon Valley R&D Center

Honda Motor Co. says its new 35,000-sq-ft research and development center in Mountain View, Calif., will allow it to collaborate with Silicon Valley innovators and better integrate next-generation consumer electronic technology into future vehicles. Initial focus areas include connected mobility, advanced human-to-machine interfaces and computer science research to improve smart car capabilities.

Honda has had a presence in Silicon Valley's software epicenter since 2000 and opened a lab there in 2003. But it says the new facility, which was officially opened last week, significantly expands its operations in the area.

The new R&D center will allow engineers from various advanced development programs to work together and share ideas. This could include teams developing passenger cars and trucks as well as those working on motorcycles, outboard motors, small jets and even robots and personal mobility devices.

The interconnection is underscored by Honda's Uni-Cub transporter. The Segway-like system, which allows users to zoom around an office balanced on a motorized stool, repurposes an angle sensor originally developed for Honda's Asimo robot, and later adapted to the company's MotoGP racing motorcycle and current Honda Civic.

Honda also announced a new application program interface that will allow engineers to remotely control Uni-Cub for testing purposes. Designed at the Silicon Valley facility's developer studio, the interface also will allow the team to explore other potential uses for Uni-Cub, according to Honda.

The company also is launching a new "Xcelerator" initiative that will serve as a technology incubator for potential research partners. The program provides funding for proof-of-concept prototyping for third-party developers, who can work directly with Honda engineers at the Silicon Valley center. Once a prototype is completed, the innovators will have an opportunity to pitch their technologies to Honda business units worldwide.

Honda demonstrated several other advanced technologies last week at the Silicon Valley center, including a system that combines disparate sensor data to detect and predict bicyclist and pedestrian movement from afar. The company also showed a virtual reality headset for rear-seat passengers.