While some automakers are actively electrifying and automating their lineup, the Japanese company Honda also relies on rockets, robots and flying cars. As it became known to the authors of The Verge, Honda is increasing its R&D spending in these futuristic areas. In the coming years, she plans to invest tens of billions of dollars in the development of these areas.
Honda will spend 5 trillion Japanese yen, or about $ 45 billion, on Research and Development (R&D) over the next six years, according to the publication. True, what part of this amount will be spent on the development of rockets, robots and flying cars is still unknown. It is noted that Honda views the above areas as a continuation of its core business of car manufacturing.
Honda officials said the company is now exploring electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, for use in urban taxi services. However, unlike most other startups that are developing eVTOL with lithium-ion batteries, the Japanese automaker plans to use a combination of an electric motor and a gas turbine, which will increase the flight range. Honda says it intends to make a final decision on the feasibility of launching an air taxi service in 2030 by 2025. It should be noted here that Honda is not the only well-known automaker now showing interest in eVTOL. Giants such as Toyota and General Motors have already invested in the development of the first concepts and prototypes.
Honda is also a pioneer in the field of robotics. The company developed Asimo, one of the first bipedal robots. Honda stopped production in 2018, explaining this by a desire to focus on using the technologies implemented in Asimo in other areas, in particular, in medicine and vehicles.
In addition to robots and flying taxis, Honda is taking an active interest in the space industry. The Japanese company plans to use engines of its own design, as well as guidance and control systems in the so-called “reusable missiles.” Honda began developing rocket technology back in 2019 and expects such rockets to be used to launch small LEO satellites.
How successful each of Honda’s new projects will be is still difficult to say. But one thing is clear that a revolution is coming in the automotive industry and manufacturers must be able to reorganize if they want to maintain their position in the market.
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