Honda Brings Robotic Devices and Energy Management Solutions to CES 2018
January 11 2018 - 1:44AM
JCN Newswire (English)
Honda introduced its new 3E (Empower, Experience, Empathy)
Robotics Concept at CES 2018, demonstrating a range of experimental
technologies engineered to understand people's needs and make their
lives better. Through a suite of robotic concepts expressing a
variety of functions and designs, Honda shared its vision of a
society where robotics and AI can assist people in many situations
such as disaster recovery, recreation and learning from human
interaction to become more helpful and empathetic.
Honda's 3E Robotics Concept is part of the company's core areas of
focus at CES 2018: robotics, mobility, and energy management. Honda
intends to pursue these areas through its "open innovation"
approach, developing technology themes that foster collaboration
with partners who share Honda's vision. Rather than stand-alone
devices that work independently, Honda envisions robotics as
multiple devices that work together as a system, enabling people to
expand their life's potential.
At CES 2018, Honda is also showcasing Mobile Power Pack World,
featuring the broad application of a swappable, rechargeable
battery pack and exchanger system that allows for easy storage of
excess renewable energy. From powering vehicles to running home
appliances, the system provides a flexible energy solution that can
improve people's lives, especially in regions where the energy
supply may be unstable.
"Honda views robotics not as something in conflict with people, but
as an opportunity to expand their potential," said Yoshiyuki
Matsumoto, president & CEO of Honda R&D Co., Ltd. "We have
entered an era when robotics will become increasingly visible and
essential in our everyday lives and have the ability to unlock
human potential."
3E - Empower
"Empower" represents Honda's concept that robotics and people can
work together while leveraging each other's strengths. Honda
demonstrated this idea through the 3E-D18, an autonomous off-road
workhorse device utilizing AI to support people in a broad range of
work activities. Designed by Honda R&D Americas, 3E-D18 is
outfitted with an electric-powered drivetrain and can accommodate a
multitude of attachments, bringing efficiencies and increasing
safety for public, commercial, and consumer enterprises, including
search and rescue, fire fighting, construction, and agriculture.
The 3E-D18 concept has the potential to minimize human exposure to
dangerous environments and can perform time-consuming chores or
mundane tasks.
Based on Honda's ATV chassis, which has a 30-year history of
accessing hard-to-reach locations, 3E-D18 is equipped with
four-wheel drive and aggressive, virtually indestructible airless
tires, enabling it to climb almost any obstacle. The 3E-D18 concept
features GPS and sensor-based autonomy, which are capable of
guiding the unit in almost any environment. Its small size makes it
super maneuverable and perfect for a variety of environments.
Honda also displayed 3E-B18, a robotics device designed for casual
use in indoor or outdoor spaces, empowering people to be mobile in
a variety of situations. With additional attachments, the 3E-B18
platform can be used to support people with their daily activities
such as a baggage cart or a stroller. Its compact size and ability
to turn in a small radius enable it to navigate in tight spaces,
while the height-adjustable seating features a function to maintain
a level seat even when it is driven uphill or downhill. 3E-B18's
narrow footprint allows it to maneuver as flexibly as a pedestrian
so that it can be used in many locations.
For 3E-B18, Honda envisions a base platform powered by Honda's
Mobile Power Pack that can be outfitted with AI sensors for
autonomous operation, and that connects with several attachments to
create a range of use scenarios.
3E - Experience
"Experience" represents the idea that people and robotic devices
grow together by interacting with each other, becoming even more
useful for people and society as a whole. This concept is
demonstrated in 3E-C18, a small-sized electric robotics device
created to serve as a mobile platform supporting the activities of
entrepreneurs, artists, and others who are seeking new ways to
create value for society. The AI-enabled platform can learn by
observing how people act and operate autonomously. The cart-like
platform offers carrying spaces and a canopy combined with a
compact-sized vehicle body base, which has a driving function.
In addition to being able to accommodate various add-ons for both
personal and commercial use, the base platform of the 3E-C18
concept can also be equipped with a Mobile Power Pack, which will
free the robot from any restrictions related to charging time.
3E - Empathy
"Empathy" represents the concept that robotics devices have
compassion toward and can achieve a mutual empathy with people
while providing support for human activities. To realize this
concept, Honda has applied AI to its 3E-A18 device, which enables
the robot to communicate and cooperate with people.
Developed to seamlessly support people in their everyday lives,
3E-A18 can serve as a guide at places such as airports or shopping
malls where many people gather. The 3E-A18 concept is capable of
offering information and care by understanding the individual needs
of people and analyzing their surroundings and expressions.
Recognizing many people experience the need for comfort when placed
in stressful situations, as exemplified by the wide-spread use of
service animals, 3E-A18 is designed with a soft exterior skin that
invites people to touch or hug the robot. 3E-A18 can communicate a
range of facial expressions that are simple and easy-to-understand,
facilitating friendly and comfortable communication between people
and robots.
Equipped with an omni-directional driving wheel, the 3E-A18 concept
is able to move in any direction.
Mobile Power Pack World
The Mobile Power Pack World showcases Honda's holistic view of how
a renewable energy source can be applied to power small-sized
electric mobility products, digital devices, and home appliances.
As generating renewable energy does not necessarily coincide with
energy demand--such as wind power generation at night when demand
is low--Honda envisions harnessing surplus energy and storing it in
efficient, portable batteries. The Honda Mobile Power Pack is a
portable, swappable, rechargeable battery that can be utilized as a
power source for a variety of situations. Each Honda Mobile Power
Pack has an output of 1kWh or more, and multiple Power Packs can be
used simultaneously, making it possible to use the Power Pack as a
power source for electric motorcycles and small-sized electric
mobility products. Utilizing portable, exchangeable batteries
eliminates re-charge times currently associated with electric
vehicles.
When combined with the Honda Mobile Power Pack Charge & Supply
-- Portable Concept charger/discharger, the Mobile Power Pack can
be utilized as a power source for recreational activities or during
an emergency. The charger/discharger not only charges the Mobile
Power Pack, but also utilizes it as a power source for connected
electrical devices. Equipped with wheels, the portable Mobile Power
Pack Charge & Supply Portable Concept is easy to carry around,
and is waterproof and dustproof enabling it to be used in outdoor
locations for recreational activities. Honda also exhibited the
Mobile Power Pack Charge & Supply -- Expandable Concept, which
can be used as a power source inside the home accommodating
multiple electronic devices. The Mobile Power Pack communicates
with other devices and can collect data regarding how it is being
used and then send the data to other devices while getting
recharged.
Further showcasing convenient energy solutions is the Honda Mobile
Power Pack Exchanger Concept, which shows how a charging station
unit can charge multiple units of the Honda Mobile Power Pack at
once and supply replacement mobile power packs. Honda envisions the
Exchangers being used at street-corner locations to supply
replacement battery packs for people who use small-sized electric
mobility products. In addition, the Exchanger can contribute to the
stabilization of electricity supply by supplying electricity to the
grid from the Power Packs within the station during peak
electricity demand.
To show how the Mobile Power Pack connects to everyday personal
mobility, Honda exhibited the PCX Electric, an all-electric scooter
outfitted with Honda's unique high-output electric motor and a
removable Honda Mobile Power Pack, and the Honda Mobile Power Pack
4W-Vehicle Concept, a compact and agile EV based on the Honda
Pioneer 500 side-by-side. Equipped with slots for two Honda Mobile
Power Packs on each side, this Zero-Emission vehicle enables more
fun and less impact to the environment on various occasions,
including off-road situations.
CES attendees can experience demonstrations of Honda's 3E Robotics
Concept and Mobile Power Pack World at the Honda booth (LVCC, North
Hall -- 7923) from January 9-12, 2018. Videos, images and more
details can be found at http://world.honda.com/CES/2018/.
About Honda
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (TSE:7267 / NYSE:HMC / LSE:HNDA) is one of
the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the
largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always
sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The
result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries
worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including
motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden
equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with
over 19 million customers annually. For more information, please
visit http://world.honda.com.
Source: Honda
Contact:
Honda
Media Inquiries
corporate_pr@hm.honda.co.jp
+81-3-5412-1512
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