Honda advanced technology
The high power output with low emissions and fuel economy is largely contributed by the improvements in several areas: The i-VTEC technology is also integrated into Honda's hybrid vehicles to work in tandem with an electric motor.
[citation needed] Earth Dreams Technology are modifications to increase fuel-efficiency in the range of 10% by selected use of DOHC, variable timing control (VTC), bore pitch, direct injection, reduced cylinder block and camshaft thickness, reduced engine weight, Atkinson cycle, friction reduction, high-capacity exhaust gas re-circulation (EGR) and electric water pumps.
[9] The Integrated Motor Assist, or IMA as it is commonly known, is Honda's hybrid car technology that uses a gasoline-electric drive system developed to achieve higher fuel economy and low exhaust emissions without compromising engine efficiency.
It was first designed for the Honda Insight in 1999, which combined the electric motor with a smaller displacement VTEC engine and a lightweight aluminium body with improved aerodynamics.
[10] In 2001, the Honda Insight Integrated Motor Assist system was declared "Best New Technology" by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC).
[11] The development of the IMA system is a result of optimizing the various technologies that Honda has built over the years, including the lean-burn combustion, low-emission engines, variable valve timing, high-efficiency electric motors, regenerative braking, nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) battery technology and the microprocessor control.
The IMA supports the engine during a low rpm normal driving range by utilizing the electric motor to generate a high-torque performance.
The term is Honda's version of Electronic Stability Control (ESC),[19] an active safety feature developed to correct oversteer and understeer by using several sensors to detect loss of steering control and traction while simultaneously braking individual wheels to help the vehicle regain stability.
When the vehicle steers outwards from the intended trajectory, VSA intervenes by reducing engine power and if necessary, also braking the inner front wheel[20] Honda's G-CON technology aims to protect car occupants by controlling G-forces during a collision.
When impact absorption is maximised, the cabin intrusion is automatically minimised to effectively lessen injuries to both occupants and pedestrians.
The advancement of the research prompted Honda to conceive a humanoid robot capable of interacting with humans and is able to function in society, such as supporting the disabled and elderly.
It is also built in with sound, face, posture, environment and movement recognition technology, and could even respond to Internet connectivity to report news and the weather.
By 2004, Honda announced new technologies that target a higher level of mobility which enabled the next-gen ASIMO to function and interact with people more naturally.
It could now walk to the nearest charging station to recharge its battery when its power falls under a certain level, and is also capable of choosing its movement when approaching people, whether stepping back or negotiate the right of way.
[30] Honda was also determined to focus its area of research in intelligence capabilities, particularly in developing a technology that uses brain signals to control a robot's movements.
[31] By 2009, Honda announced that it has developed a new system, the Brain Machine Interface, which allows human to send commands to ASIMO through thought alone.
