LAS VEGAS, Nevada, USA, January, 2025 – Honda today presented the world premiere of two prototype models at CES 2025 – Honda 0 Saloon and Honda 0 SUV – representing two Honda 0 Series models to be introduced to global markets from 2026. The company also introduced its original vehicle operating system (OS), the ASIMO OS, to be applied to its global EV series.
- Honda 0 Saloon
By further advancing the concept model introduced last year at CES 2024, the Honda 0 Saloon prototype was developed in preparation for a market launch in 2026. While maintaining the exact styling design of the concept model, the prototype features both the low height and sporty styling that sets the Saloon apart from other EVs, and an interior space that is more spacious than people would expect based on the exterior dimensions.
The Honda 0 Saloon, the flagship model of the Honda 0 Series, will be based on the newly developed dedicated EV architecture and will feature a number of next-generation technologies that embody the “Thin, Light and Wise” development approach.
At CES 2025, Honda is focusing on introducing certain technologies and features that contribute to the “Wise” value of the Honda 0 Saloon. This includes the highly reliable Level 3 automated driving technology, which Honda put into practical use for the first time in the world, as well as “ultra-personal optimization” that will offer a mobility experience customized for each individual user, which will become possible with the ASIMO OS.
The production model of the Honda 0 Saloon is scheduled to be introduced first in the North American market in 2026, then in global markets, including Japan and Europe.
- Honda 0 SUV
Based on the Space-Hub concept model unveiled at CES 2024, proposing the new value of EVs as a “space” for people that Honda will offer with its future EV models, the company has now presented the prototype of a mid-size EV SUV – which will be the first Honda 0 Series model. By applying the “Thin, Light, and Wise” approach to an SUV, the interior space was further increased, and a spacious cabin was achieved with an outstandingly clear and unrestricted field of view with great flexibility.
Alongside the wide variety of next-generation technologies, the Honda 0 SUV will apply high-precision attitude estimation and stabilization control. This is based on 3D gyro sensors, technology Honda has amassed through the development of its original robotics technologies, to enable dynamics at the will of the driver on various road surfaces.
The production model of the Honda 0 SUV is scheduled to be introduced first in North American market in the first half of 2026, then in global markets, including Japan and Europe.
- ASIMO OS
Honda 0 Series models will be equipped with the ASIMO OS, an original vehicle OS developed by Honda, which will be the core technology to achieve the ‘Wise’ value of the global EV series.
ASIMO was a humanoid robot capable of autonomous walking, developed as part of Honda fundamental technology research with the aim of helping people while coexisting with those in society. Honda began robotics research and development in 1986, and introduced ASIMO in 2000, becoming an icon in the field of robotics from the 2000s through 2010s and loved by people all over the world.
Even after concluding development of ASIMO, Honda has been further advancing its robotics technologies, including those that recognize external environments and autonomous behavior control enabling ASIMO to understand the intentions of people around it. By combining such robotics technologies with advanced intelligence technologies for the Honda 0 Series, the company strives to offer a unique value for software defined vehicles (SDVs).
As a software platform, ASIMO OS will apply integrated control of electronic control units (ECUs) for vehicle systems such as automated driving / advanced driver assistance systems (AD/ADAS) and the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system.
By constantly updating the in-vehicle software through over the air (OTA) updates even after the purchase of the vehicle, functions and services will be continuously advanced in accordance with the preferences and needs of each user. The functions and services subject to constant updates include those which enhance the value of “space” and the digital UX, that ensures a fun and comfortable mobility experience. Also, integrated control of dynamics unique to Honda, that determines the joy of driving, enabling the driver to feel at one with the vehicle.
- Automated driving (AD) technology
In 2021, Honda became the world’s first automaker to put Level 3 automated driving equipment into practical use with the launch of the all-new Legend equipped with Honda SENSING Elite, which qualified for Level 3 automated driving (eyes-off), and conditional driving automation in limited areas.
Honda developed Honda SENSING Elite to put this AD technology into practical use by anticipating all driving conditions and scenarios based on the premise that, in addition to reducing the number of traffic collisions in society, Honda AD must completely eliminate traffic accidents that people think a “human driver could avoid.”
Honda believes that the widespread use of eyes-off technology will lead toward the realization of zero traffic collision fatalities in the future. Based on this belief, Honda will strive to offer affordable automated driving vehicles to more customers around the world through the Honda 0 Series.
To this end, Honda has applied an original Honda AI technology that combines the unsupervised learning*1 technology of Helm.ai and the behavior models of experienced drivers, which enable AI to learn with smaller amounts of data, and efficiently expand the range of situations where automated driving and driver assistance can be available.
In addition, Honda will apply its original cooperative AI developed through research into people and mobility to further improve the precision of cooperative behavior, such as yielding the right of way to others on the road, which is difficult even for a human driver. By applying these advanced technologies, Honda will realize a highly reliable driver assistance system that can respond quickly and appropriately to unexpected situations, such as an animal darting into the lane or an object falling onto the road.
Honda 0 Series models will be equipped with a system that enables the expansion of the range of driving conditions where driver assistance and Level 3 automated driving will be available. This expansion will start with eyes-off technology available in traffic congestion on highways, and will continue through OTA updates.
With Level 3 automated driving, the vehicle will be in charge of driving, which will enable a human driver to perform a “second task” while en route to their destination, whether watching a movie or remotely joining a meeting. Honda will further advance its technologies and become the first automaker to expand the application of eyes-off functions to all driving situations, opening up new possibilities for mobility.
- Development of SoC dedicated to Honda 0 Series
Honda and Renesas Electronics Corporation (Renesas) have announced an agreement to develop a high-performance system-on-chip (SoC) to realize the future SDVs the company aims to achieve with Honda 0 Series models.
For next generation models, which will be launched in the late 2020s, Honda will adopt a centralized E&E architecture that combines multiple ECUs, responsible for controlling vehicle systems, into a single, core ECU. This will serve as the heart of the SDV and manage various vehicle systems, such as AD/ADAS, powertrain control, and comfort features. To achieve this, the ECU requires a SoC that provides higher processing performance than traditional systems, while minimizing any increase in power consumption.
To fulfill such requirements, Honda and Renesas will realize a system that utilizes multi-die chiplet technology*2 to combine the Renesas generic fifth generation (Gen 5) R-Car X5 SoC series with an AI accelerator optimized for AI software developed independently by Honda. With this combination, the two companies aim to develop a system that achieves one of the industry’s top class AI performances of 2,000 TOPS*3 (Sparse) with 20 TOPS/W power efficiency.
