Honda
Honda Motor Co. is a Tokyo-based maker of cars, motorcycles and power equipment, founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and led today by chief executive Toshihiro Mibe. Honda is one of the pioneers of humanoid robotics: it began research into walking robots in 1986 and in 2000 introduced ASIMO, one of the world's most famous humanoid robots. ASIMO, standing about 130 cm tall, could walk, run, climb stairs, recognise faces and voices, and was updated several times, with the final version shown in 2011. It toured the world, met world leaders and appeared at Honda's showroom and Miraikan in Tokyo. Honda stopped ASIMO development in 2018 and retired the robot in March 2022, applying its technology to other fields such as mobility, avatar robots and disaster-response robots. In January 2025 Honda revived the name as ASIMO OS, the vehicle operating system for its 0 Series electric cars.
💡Notable Achievement: Honda introduced ASIMO in 2000, retired it in March 2022, and reused the name for ASIMO OS, the vehicle operating system for its 0 Series electric cars announced at CES 2025.
What Does Honda Do?
Honda is a Tokyo carmaker and one of the pioneers of humanoid robotics: it started researching walking robots in 1986 and introduced ASIMO in 2000, before retiring it in 2022.
“A humanoid pioneer whose ASIMO shaped the field.”
ASIMO Legacy
ASIMO could walk, run, climb stairs and recognise faces and voices, and toured the world for two decades.
Technology Reuse
Honda applies ASIMO technology to mobility, avatar robots and disaster-response robots.
ASIMO OS
In January 2025 Honda revived the name as the operating system for its 0 Series electric vehicles.
What Can Honda Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Bipedal walking research legacy carried into mobility and avatar robots.
Bipedal Walking
ASIMO walked and ran on two legs and climbed stairs.
Recognition & Interaction
ASIMO recognised faces and voices to interact with people.
Honda Robots
Showing 1 Humanoid Robots of 1 total model
ASIMO 2.0
Manufactured by Honda
ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative MObility) is a pioneering bipedal humanoid robot developed by Honda. The second-generation model (ASIMO 2.0) was introduced in 2005, and the final version in 2011. While Honda officially concluded the ASIMO development project in 2018, ASIMO remains a foundational milestone in humanoid robotics and dynamic bipedal locomotion history.
Honda Software & AI Ecosystem
Developer platforms, fleet management portals, autonomy intelligence, and enterprise integrations
ASIMO OS
Operating System for 0 Series EVs
Honda's vehicle operating system for its 0 Series electric vehicles, announced at CES 2025.
Honda Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Honda founded
Soichiro Honda founds Honda Motor Co., which grows into a global maker of cars, motorcycles and power equipment.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
ASIMO humanoid robot introduced
Honda introduces ASIMO, a walking humanoid robot developed after more than a decade of research into bipedal walking.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Final ASIMO version shown
Honda shows the final redesigned ASIMO, with improved autonomy, balance and hand dexterity.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
ASIMO retired
Honda retires ASIMO after about two decades of public demonstrations, ending its famous showroom performances.
Source: forbes.com
ASIMO OS for electric vehicles
Honda announces ASIMO OS at CES 2025 as the operating system for its 0 Series electric vehicles.
Source: insideevs.com
Honda Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
Toyota Motor Corporation
Industry PeerModel: T-HR3 / Punyo
Focus: Bipedal teleoperated avatar and soft collaborative robotics
Boston Dynamics
→Model: Atlas
Focus: Dynamic acrobatic and commercial electric humanoid robotics
Kawasaki Heavy Industries
Industry PeerModel: Kaleido
Focus: Heavy-duty bipedal disaster response humanoid
What Makes Honda Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Decades of humanoid research from the ASIMO programme.
- ✓Very large industrial and manufacturing base.
Core Strategic Focus
Applying humanoid research to mobility and avatar robotics.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •ASIMO is retired and Honda has no current commercial humanoid.
- •Newer humanoid makers have moved ahead in general-purpose robots.
Honda vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Locomotion Type
- ASIMO (Honda)
- Bipedal Walking & Running
- Atlas (Boston Dynamics)
- Bipedal Acrobatic / Electric
- T-HR3 (Toyota)
- Bipedal Teleoperated
- Digit (Agility)
- Bipedal Warehouse AMR
Degrees of Freedom
- ASIMO (Honda)
- 57 DoF
- Atlas (Boston Dynamics)
- 28+ DoF
- T-HR3 (Toyota)
- 32 DoF
- Digit (Agility)
- 20+ DoF
Operational Focus
- ASIMO (Honda)
- HRI & Research Demonstrator
- Atlas (Boston Dynamics)
- Dynamic Industrial Handling
- T-HR3 (Toyota)
- Remote Avatar Telepresence
- Digit (Agility)
- Tote & Package Logistics
Commercial Status
- ASIMO (Honda)
- Retired (R&D Predecessor)
- Atlas (Boston Dynamics)
- Commercial Prototype
- T-HR3 (Toyota)
- Research Prototype
- Digit (Agility)
- Commercial Fleet Deployed
| Strategic Dimension | ASIMO (Honda) | Atlas (Boston Dynamics) | T-HR3 (Toyota) | Digit (Agility) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Locomotion Type | Bipedal Walking & Running | Bipedal Acrobatic / Electric | Bipedal Teleoperated | Bipedal Warehouse AMR |
| Degrees of Freedom | 57 DoF | 28+ DoF | 32 DoF | 20+ DoF |
| Operational Focus | HRI & Research Demonstrator | Dynamic Industrial Handling | Remote Avatar Telepresence | Tote & Package Logistics |
| Commercial Status | Retired (R&D Predecessor) | Commercial Prototype | Research Prototype | Commercial Fleet Deployed |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Honda Headquarters
HQMinato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about Honda
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Honda
What was Honda ASIMO?
ASIMO was Honda's humanoid robot, introduced in 2000. About 130 cm tall, it could walk, run, climb stairs and recognise faces and voices, and became one of the world's most famous robots.
Is Honda ASIMO still in use?
No. Honda stopped developing ASIMO in 2018 and retired the robot in March 2022, applying its technology to other robotics and mobility projects.
Why did Honda stop making ASIMO?
Honda said it would apply the technology developed for ASIMO to more practical uses, such as mobility devices, avatar robots and disaster-response robots, rather than continue the humanoid itself.
What is Honda ASIMO OS?
ASIMO OS is the vehicle operating system Honda announced at CES 2025 for its 0 Series electric vehicles, reusing the name of its famous humanoid robot.
Could you buy an ASIMO robot?
No. ASIMO was never sold. Honda used it for research and demonstrations and rented it for some events, but it was not a commercial product.
When did Honda start building humanoid robots?
Honda began researching walking robots in 1986 and built a series of experimental prototypes over the following years before publicly introducing ASIMO in the year 2000.
Who is the CEO of Honda?
Honda is led by Toshihiro Mibe, its president and chief executive. The company was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and is headquartered in Minato, Tokyo.
When was Honda founded?
Honda was founded in 1948 by Soichiro Honda and grew from making motorised bicycles into a global maker of cars, motorcycles, power equipment and robots.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Honda datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.