Honda to set up AI research base in Tokyo

Honda Motor Co. said Thursday that subsidiary Honda R&D Co. plans to establish a research and development base specializing in artificial intelligence in the Akasaka district of Tokyo in September. The major automaker will consolidate almost all of its AI-related R&D activities in the nation into the new base, called Honda R&D Innovation Lab Tokyo. Honda aims to speed up the development of robots and autonomous driving technologies, which it hopes to put into practical use on expressways in 2020. Honda R&D, in the city of Wako, Saitama Prefecture, is known for developing the Asimo humanoid robot. Honda believes that having an AI base in central Tokyo will make it easier for the company to cooperate with universities and other institutions, as well as information and technology companies.