In a series of moves likely to benefit inventors and vendors of cutting-edge automotive innovations, new Honda CEO Takahiro Hachigo is implementing a heightened emphasis on developing advanced technologies while easing up somewhat on reaching what has been described as overly ambitious vehicle sales goals that have been over-extending the company’s existing engineering resources.
Hachigo, who assumed the Japanese automaker’s top position in June, replacing Takanobu Ito, says the company is interested in exploring technological alliances with other OEMs along with further enhancing its in-house research and development efforts. He invites other industry vendors to contribute their own ideas and concepts.
In July Honda launched the significantly redesigned 2016 Accord at a ceremony saluting recently unveiled upgrades to the company’s Silicon Valley R&D facility.
The spotlighted rollout of the Accord “symbolizes our commitment to advanced technology and vehicle connectivity for the benefit of our customers,” says Nick Sugimoto, the California laboratory’s senior program director.
“This is the most high-tech Accord ever built, and now the highest-volume vehicle in the entire industry to offer Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Upgrades to Accord technology also include the adoption of Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies,” he says.
“Through a new open innovation initiative, the just-announced Honda Xcelerator, we will provide resources to technology innovators to help rapidly develop prototypes with the potential to transform the automotive experience,” Sugimoto adds.
The program provides funding for proof-of-concept prototyping and a chance to work directly alongside company engineers in a collaborative atmosphere that encourages mentoring, according to Frank Paluch, an R&D divisional president.
Innovators will also have the opportunity to pitch their technologies to Honda’s global business units once their prototypes are developed. (More information can be obtained at a new specialized website: xcelerator.hondasvl.com.)
“As an industry, we are on the verge of some major transformational changes brought on by the convergence of what have been, to this point, largely disparate technology disciplines,” Paluch says. “Honda will embrace and help lead this convergence. Our operations in Silicon Valley are a testimony to our focus on this new direction in our product and technology development efforts.”
The Silicon Valley lab, which was first established in 2000, is dedicated to researching and prototyping game-changing innovations and harnessing new ideas and technology. Current areas of focus include connected mobility, novel human-machine interfaces, supporting app developers through initiatives such as the Honda Developer Studio and computer science research for vehicle intelligence, he explains. The engineers also spearhead the company’s continuing working relationships with other Silicon Valley-based technology firms.
Buckeye collaboration
Honda and Ohio State University recently celebrated the grand opening of the new Simulation Innovation and Modeling Center (SIMCenter) by inviting other potential industry partners to collaborate at the facility, which is designed to advance product performance and manufacturing processes through computer-aided simulation.
Located in Smith Laboratory on the Columbus, Ohio campus as part of the College of Engineering, the SIMCenter was launched as a result of a $5 million contribution from Honda; it began operating late last winter. The center is focused on researching and developing new and improved computational engineering tools for all aspects of vehicle design and manufacturing.
“The SIMCenter is a little over one year old, and we have already received significant industry funding, primarily from Honda,” says SIMCenter Director Rob Lee. “With 10 faculty members actively participating in the center, and an aggressive effort to hire research staff underway, we are now ready to reach out to potential industry partners to help them with their research and development needs.”
The SIMCenter seeks to utilize computer-aided engineering to improve the accuracy of virtual testing for new materials and designs. These innovations will save time and resources during development, and can predict outcomes with greater precision, he says.
Since 1988, Ohio State and Honda have continuously partnered on initiatives in education, research, product development and public service. This latest step in the partnership will accelerate the adoption of virtual engineering methods to enable greater product innovations and benefit future customers, according to Lee and Paluch.
“Every company has a different vision for the future of mobility, however, we all have a common need to develop ideas into new solutions as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible,” says Paluch. “The collaboration in the research environment of the SIMCenter by talented young engineers trained in advanced CAE (computer-aided engineering) methods will help advance the field much more quickly than we could do alone.
At the 31st Annual Honda Supplier Conference held in Columbus in April, the automaker honored 64 North American auto suppliers for their achievements in providing parts for Honda and Acura vehicles.
“The concept of value is determined by the customer, and that value is based on our ability – Honda and our suppliers together – to deliver in terms of quality, cost and delivery,” says Tom Lake, vice president of North American purchasing. “Only by making long-lasting, durable products can we create long-lasting, durable relationships with our customers.”
In 2014 Honda’s 682 North American suppliers combined to provide a record-setting $26.3 billion worth of parts for the more than 1.8 million Honda and Acura passenger vehicles Honda produced last year in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Lake notes that 2015 is being celebrated as “The Year of Honda” with a number of new product introductions taking place this year, including the Acura NSX supercar; the HondaJet aircraft; and Honda’s return to Formula One auto racing – as well as major new models such as the all-new 2016 Honda HR-V crossover, a new 2016 Honda Pilot and 2016 Honda Civic.
Jon Minto, senior vice president of engineering planning, is encouraging its vendors to continue adding flexibility and agility into their manufacturing operations in order to keep up with the increasing complexities involved in meeting expanding customer tastes and regulatory requirements.
“Being an agile manufacturer enhances the value of your production characteristics, elevates your competitive advantage and supports our customers,” says Minto.
“Honda R&D Americas is taking on even greater responsibilities within our global R&D operations, leading development of some critical new global models, like the upcoming 2016 Civic,” says Mat Hargett, vice president of Acura development. “We are challenged with developing new technologies that give joy to our customers while addressing societal concerns such as safety and the environment – all while taking our quality to new levels.”
“We know from experience that outstanding quality performance is an essential part of competitiveness as well as supplier success,” adds Mark Willoughby, division manager of North American procurement.
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