Honda Motor Company flexed its mobility muscles at the first Japan Mobility Show (nee Tokyo Motor Show), taking place from October 25 to November 5, 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight. The innovative Japanese company showed off its ability to transport people and goods through sea, land, and air. From the continent-spanning capability of the Honda Jet Elite II to the mobility aid UniOne, Honda has covered many aspects of the future of getting from point A to point Z—with fun and style. Let’s take a look at what’s rolling and flying at the Honda booth:
Honda has been at the pinnacle of car manufacturing and motorsports for more than 50 years. For its main launch at the Mobility Show, Honda showed off three main concepts for the near future, plus a huge variety of other transport concepts:
Honda Prelude
The big reveal at the Mobility Show is the return of a fabled nameplate at Honda: the Prelude sport coupe. The Prelude looks enticingly sporty, and will probably be endowed with a hybrid powertrain.
Honda Sustaina-C and Pocket Concepts
The Sustaina-C is designed to make use of recycled materials with the aim of sustainability. Sustaina-C uses recycled acrylic resin for its body panels. The Sustaina-C apparently comes with a matching electric scooter, the Pocket Concept. The Sustaina-C looks extremely adorable, in the vein of the Honda e electric hatchback, a big plus factor if it can be produced commercially.
Cruise Origin
The Cruise Origin is an autonomous vehicle that’s planned for roll-out in Tokyo by 2026. Co-developed with GM and Cruise, the Cruise Origin is a driverless vehicle that a customer can summon, then board with up to five other people. The Cruise Origin can then navigate its way to the desired destination within the city. Honda sees this vehicle as a way to overcome the constraint of time. Customers can use the travel time to work or interact with their group— perhaps redefining the meaning of “Zoom meeting.”
Honda SC e: Concept
The SC e: Concept is a preview of Honda’s electric motorcycle that uses the company’s battery-swapping technology. The SC e is powered by two units of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e swappable battery, allowing near-instant availability of full range with no need for a lengthy wait for recharging. Honda promises a smooth and powerful ride with the SC e. Speaking of the Honda Mobile Power Pack e, various machines that can be powered by the battery pack were also on display. These include home and business “generators,” marine motors, and small construction equipment such as backhoes.
Honda CI-MEV
The Honda CI-MEV is a self-driving micro-mobility vehicle that can assist the elderly and disabled to travel around areas with limited or unreliable public transportation—which in Metro Manila can be the norm rather than the exception.
Honda Prologue
Honda’s first battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be available in the North American market. The Prologue will have up to 295hp and available all-wheel drive. Honda calls its styling, penned by the Honda Design Studio in Los Angeles, a neo-rugged design with simple and clean styling.
Honda Jet Elite II and Honda eVTOL
Honda displayed a full-scale mockup of its innovative Honda Jet Elite II light business jet. The future of air mobility was represented by the Honda eVTOL, seen to be eventually powered by a gas turbine hybrid system.
Honda Uni-One
Honda’s Uni-One is the most fun of all of the company’s exhibits. It’s an electric mobility device similar in purpose to a wheelchair. The hands-free seated personal mobility device allowed us to move, steer, and brake the device by merely shifting body weight while seated. The device uses a new balance control technology and the Honda Omni Traction Drive System that allows the Uni-One to move naturally in all directions. It’s useful, intuitive, and lots of fun—in other words, it’s a Honda!
