Lengthy earlier than there was Optimus, there was Asimo.
Not lots of people know this, however Honda was truly experimenting with humanoid robots way back to the mid-Eighties. They have been sort of like bins filled with circuitry on legs that turned increasingly humanlike over time till the massive breakthrough got here in 2000 with Asimo: the Superior Step in Progressive Mobility robotic. He regarded like a baby in an astronaut go well with and will do all types of issues, from kicking a ball to creating you a drink. Whereas Asimo was by no means destined for manufacturing unit work like Tesla CEO claims the Optimus robotic can be at some point, Honda realized so much about human-machine interplay till Asimo was retired in 2018.
Now, he is again—in a fashion of talking. At CES 2025, Honda introduced that its first in-house software program system for its upcoming 0 Collection electrical autos can be referred to as Asimo OS. And that system will energy all the things from the administration of digital management models to the infotainment system to automated driving tech.
Photograph by: Honda
“The usage of the Asimo title pays homage to the beloved Honda Asimo robotic and the ‘Clever’ worth of the Honda 0 Collection,” Honda mentioned in a information launch. “Moreover, Honda introduced an settlement with Renesas Electronics Company to develop a high-performance system-on-chip, to be launched on the following era of 0 Collection fashions within the late 2020s, in addition to a brand new vitality service via the Dwelling Vitality Administration System to allow clients to get pleasure from a stress-free EV possession expertise with lowered environmental affect.”
Photograph by: Honda
Maybe most significantly, this method will make the 0 Collection EVs able to over-the-air updates, permitting Honda so as to add new options and even repair points with software program downloads. All the auto trade is bullish on this functionality because it permits producers to make automobiles “higher” over time, however moreover just a few sturdy gamers like Rivian and Tesla (the latter originated this concept), it has been sort of slow-going throughout the board.
However the integration of Asimo OS exhibits how critically Honda is taking its next-generation EVs: The whole lot can be constructed in-house, vertically built-in, managed by Honda straight and upgradeable over time. So the 0 Collection Saloon, SUV and others within the household are extra than simply new EVs—they signify a Tesla-like end-to-end software program and expertise expertise.
As we have coated beforehand, the 0 Collection and Honda’s EV “hubs” in Ohio and Canada signify a sort of do-over technique for an automaker that is now lagging behind China’s automotive corporations in not solely electrification but additionally software program. These ideas goal to maneuver Honda past the superb gasoline engines which have outlined it for therefore lengthy and switch it into a worldwide powerhouse for in-car software program and electrical mobility.
Whether or not Honda can get there or not stays as unsure because it does for any so-called “conventional” automaker searching for to make this high-tech transition. Including to the complication is a lately introduced plan for Honda and Nissan to merge, and whereas these two had already been engaged on a brand new technical partnership, it is unclear what would possibly occur in the event that they’re formally beneath one roof.
Asimo OS will come geared up on all 0 Collection Honda fashions, together with manufacturing fashions of the Honda 0 SUV and Honda 0 Saloon unveiled at CES at this time. These automobiles are confirmed to start out manufacturing in 2026 in Ohio, and world gross sales will observe.
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