Global Network Honda Research Institutes

Who we are

Welcome to the Global Network Honda Research Institutes, the virtual organization that is composed of the three Honda Research Institutes in Japan, in Europe and in the USA.

We coordinate our research activities towards our scientific vision of a Harmonious Hybrid Society and contribute our results to Honda R&D, to Honda Motor and to society at large.

We work together in a global matrix structure with global responsibilities in science and in innovation. Global leadership is organized in an executive committee that is composed of the CEO of the Global Network Honda Research Institutes and the global and regional executive functions.

hri-eu hri-jp hri-us

„We are curious about the future being aware of our social responsibility – it is a privilege and an incentive.“

What we think

HRI pursues research to create technologies and innovations that will realize a new harmony between individual self-development and social togetherness.

Cooperative Intelligence

AI that fits to Honda’s values must have a cooperative role, support each human in their self-development and in their desire to become the person that they truly want to “BE” while respecting social cohesion, tolerance and respect for each other.
Harmonious hybrid society

Cooperative Intelligence that supports humans in their self-development while being tolerant and respectful leads to a harmonious mix between different individuals, groups, and cultures including intelligent systems as new cooperative members of the society.

Stronger together

We create synergy from the diversity of our three regions in our four research domains.

Artificial & Embodied Intelligence

cooperative intelligence that supports us in our self-development while being tolerant and respecting each other in a harmonious hybrid society

Quantum Information Technology

high precision sensing capabilities, qudit-based quantum algorithms and secure long-distance quantum communication

Material Science & Nanotechnology

material innovations for next generation batteries, fuel cells and quantum technology

System Analysis & Optimization

addressing the increasing complexity of quality, sustainability and robustness in engineering energy, mobility and communication systems

What we do

examples of global science projects

SMILE

Semantic Intuitive Skill Learning

AI / Robotics
SMILE
Semantic Intuitive Skill Learning (SMILE) will endow robots with the capability for physical mediation, i.e., enable embodied AI systems to proactively and implicitly provide physical support in socially dynamic situations. Machines become physical enablers that co-exist with humans 24/7 and learn and grow within social groups.
We combine research in multi-modal imitation learning to grow system’s physical capabilities in interaction with the user. Semantic planning is integrated with learning and common sense to find creative solutions to novel problems, while explainable and ergonomic Human-Robot Interaction ensures easy and intuitive cooperation between user and system.
Using augmented reality, we research novel ways of interaction and knowledge sharing between humans and robots. Predictive ergonomics and biomechanics enables proactive physical robot support.
Watch SMILE in a recent demo
Haru

The embodied mediator social robot

AI / Robotics
Haru
The objective of the social robot Haru for embodied communication is to mediate between different groups in society through an understanding of the social and group dynamics and an empathic behaviour for supporting the individual. Haru strenghtens togetherness and mutual understanding within and between societies and resolves social conflict and fragmentation.
HRI has contributed to UNICEF’s efforts to promote ethical AI for children and cooperates with schools and hospitals across different cultures on three different continents to connect embodiment and cooperative intelligence for the betterment of society.
Further information on Haru can be found at the Honda Research Institute Japan and at the IEEE Spectrum, or in the Haru promotional video
Fairness and Explainability

Fair intelligent systems with explainable decision

Intelligent systems
Fairness and Explainability
With the recent advances in artificial intelligence, the ethical aspect of intelligent systems have come more and more into focus. Fairness referring to the transparent and secure handling of data is an important element of ethical AI. While we might not be able to fully understand the details of information processing in complex AI systems, the systems must be able to explain their recommendations and decisions and how they reached a conclusion.
In this project, we are particularly interested in practical aspects of fairness and explainability in cooperative intelligent systems. We research end-users’ and local deployers’ requirements for the architecture of a fair AI-mediator system and apply fairness-requirements with a focus on personal data processing and user profiling practices. We build systems that trustfully interact with particularly vulnerable groups in society like children and the elderly. System monitoring and transparency of data collection and usage are the technological basis on which fair and explainable AI can be researched, developed and operationalized.

How we achieve our vision

Each Honda Research Institute in Japan, in Europe and in the USA is one-of-a-kind and contributes its focus and uniqueness to the Global Network Honda Research Institutes.

Using our global project management matrix we create synergy from the diversity of our three regions. We balance the benefit from larger integrative projects spanning across different institutes and managed by the global structure and smaller disruptive projects that advance our regional excellence and which are embedded in the regional management.

Going further together

0 University Partners
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We are proud of our international network of partners at universities, NGOs and companies and honoured to be able to work together with some of the most creative minds in our strategic fields of research.

Grow with us

We are excited about your interest in the Global Network Honda Research Institutes. If you share our philosophy and if you are interested to work with us as a scientist or innovator, as a student or interested member of society.

contact @ hri-eu contact @ hri-jp contact @ hri-us

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Who we are

What we think

Cooperative Intelligence

Harmonious hybrid society