Honda’s “Matthew’s Day Off” commercial was the most-liked among full Super Bowl commercials for its ode to Ferris Bueller. Sitting right behind that was Volkswagen’s complete version of its “The Dog Strikes Back” ad. The Skechers commercial titled “GOrun Mr. Quiggly” and “Dannon Oikos: The Tease” rounded out the top five, respectively. Here is the complete list of the top 10 user-rated ads on Hulu:

1. Volkswagen: The Bark Side Teaser
2. Honda: Matthew’s Day Off – Extended
3. Volkswagen: The Dog Strikes Back
4. Skechers: GOrun Mr. Quiggly
5. Dannon Oikos: The Tease
6. Chevrolet: 2012
7. M&M’s: It’s That Kind of Party
8. Audi: Vampire Party
9. E*Trade: Fatherhood
10. Acura: Transactions – Extended

These are where the votes stood as of 2:00 AM this morning. Of course, if you happened to miss any of these, and you weren’t among the rest of the country who caught up on the ads during work or school today, they’re all still available to view on Hulu. Super Bowl ads are more important than ever, since they live on in YouTube, Hulu, and other viral sites. In addition, we analyze all of them after the fact in an expansively increasing number of ways. Just wait until next year.

It’s all part of what Acura reckons was part of the original appeal of the NSX: “high performance through engineering efficiency.” The SH-AWD (sport hybrid all wheel drive) system runs its power through a dual-clutch transmission, while an electric motor provides “supercar acceleration” with the least possible impact on efficiency.

Acura isn’t saying quite how efficient the NSX Concept actually is, however, preferring to point to a respectable power-to-weight ratio. Unfortunately it doesn’t say either power or weight either, leaving us somewhat in the dark about performance overall.

Still, it looks amazing and we’re not the only ones who have fond memories of the original NSX, so you can bet this is a project Honda fans will be watching closely. More details in the video below.

One Civic hybrid owner has taken a different tact by opting out of the class action and instead taking Honda to small claims court seeking $10,000 to compensate her for fuel costs that were more than promised. The reason Heather Peters chose small claims court is because that venue would prohibit Honda from bringing out its high power legal team. It’s helps Peters’ cause that she was an attorney years ago.

Peters showed brochures from Honda touting fuel economy in the 50mpg range, and then showed photos of the dash on her car showing that the car never achieved fuel economy near that rating. Peters also said that a software fix that Honda offered to improve the economy made the car worse. Honda sent a technical specialist named Neil Schmidt to represent it in the case, and he called the claims Peters was making “ridiculous” and noted that Honda had to print those numbers and that independent testing is where the 50mpg figure came from. No decision has been made in the case yet. If Peters wins, Honda could appeal to another court where it could bring lawyers.

[via LA Times]

The WSJ report claimed that Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura noted Honda was going to shift some of its manufacturing capacity back to North America over the next two years. According to the WSJ, the Honda CEO had stated that it was getting to be too expensive to import cars to North America so it would build more of the cars inside North America.

Bloomberg is now reporting that Honda is denying that 40% figure. A Honda spokeswoman has stated that Iwamura “didn’t say 40% at all.” That seems to be a carefully worded way of noting that the production increase may not be 40%, not a denial that it will increase North American production. Honda has announced recently that it will be redesigning its popular Civic soon.

[via Bloomberg]

The current Civic has been criticized for a decline in interior quality and for a choppier and noisier ride. It failed to received the “recommended” status that was bestowed by Consumer Reports to previous Civic models. However, Honda doesn’t attribute this to a drop in quality but claims that it is due to competitors catching up.

Honda also blames this year’s low sales on the natural disasters in both the earthquake in Japan and the floods in Thailand that caused an inventory shortage. Tetsuo Iwamura, chief executive of Honda in North America, revealed in an interview today that the new 2013 upgraded Civic model would go on sale late next year and that it would feature upgraded styling, driving characteristics, and comfort.

[via DETNews]

Again what you’re seeing above is not the new model that will be revealed in Detroit inside 2012, but the original NSX shown in 2004 at the same event. What you’ll quite likely be getting with this new model is an all-wheel-drive system, first of all, this of course if Honda decides to go beyond what CNET‘s Wayne Cunningham describes as a possible “mere styling exercise.” Speculation is that this all-wheel-drive system will be the same as what has recently been revealed for Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology announcement, complete with a direct injection 3.5-liter V-6 as a main power unit and two 20 kilowatt electric motors for torque vectoring.

Besides this there’ll also a main drive motor with a seven speed dual clutch automated manual transmission as well. Honda has also stated that they’ll be brining another concept vision to the show in the Acura ILX, an entry level premium car also living in the Acura environment. The ILX will be the first Acura hybrid, and will play nicely next to the NSX or we’ll turn this car right around and go back home. Finally there will be a 2013 Honda Accord Coupe concept as well as a 2013 Acura RDX, both of them more than likely showing up in Detroit at the 2012 event as well.

[via CNET]

The old NSX was a super car intended to show that a Japanese automaker could produce a super car to compete with the best from Europe. The car had legendary handling and lightweight thanks to copious use of aluminum and other materials. The new car will share some things with the old NSX, including the mid-engine two-seat layout. The car will have a V6 engine with electric hybrid power.

Hybrid power is a push to make the car green and fast. The car will also be an all-wheel drive that will be able to send more power to the outside wheels in a turn to make the car handle better. We will have to wait a few weeks to find to whether this hybrid system is along the lines of the KERS system other sports car makers like Porsche are using, or if it has more in common with the Prius. I suspect the hybrid system is more focused on performance than economy in the new NSX.

[via USA Today]

The HEV will also use a seven-speed dual clutch transmission that Honda is developing. It will also have two rear motors with one powering each wheel along with a gasoline engine in the front of the car and an electric motor for the front wheels of the car. At low speeds, the rear electric motors will drive the car.

When more force is needed the front electric motor will kick in, and if that isn’t enough the gas engine will then fire up. One of the coolest things is that the electric motors will be able to change what direction the power is driving the rear wheels from forward to reverse to help the car turn. That means when turning right the right rear electric motor will turn backwards and when turning left the left rear electric motor will reverse. The gas engine the car is a 3.5L V6 with direct fuel injection.

[via Techon]

Honda has a new concept scooter that would get you to and from work using battery power over short distances. The concept scooter is called the motor compo. The little scooter is under 3-feet in length and height. The concept scooter is designed to fit easily into the micro commuter vehicle concept that Honda came up with.

The idea is that the scooter will be carried in the car to get the driver across that last mile if they need to park far away. Then the driver can get the scooter out and ride it to their final destination. The thing folds up small enough to carry it into an office or home too.

[via DesignBoom]

The fruits of the Toyota and BMW deal will initially be seen in 2014, as Toyota cars for the European market roll off the production line under BMW power. The German company has been pushing to expand its engine and powertrain supply business, with the Toyota arrangement presenting shoppers with a cheaper way to get their hands on a BMW-powered car.

Meanwhile, both firms will begin collaborative research into next-gen lithium-ion battery technologies, which could be used to power electric cars and hybrids such as BMW’s i3 and i8 concepts. The partnership is being painted as the first of a number of possible collaborative projects.

As for Honda, it’s not talking about electric but about getting frugal diesel powerplants into cars sooner. The first Earth Dreams Technology engine will show up in the new European Civic, set to go on sale in late 2012. Lighter than existing diesel engines, it has sub-100g/km CO2 emissions yet still delivers 300Nm of torque (at 2000rpm). No word on whether we’ll ever see it appear in cars in North America.

Honda and Toyota didn’t let the Tokyo opportunity to have some weird car fun pass them by, however. As well as the more sensible announcements, Honda brought out the EV-STER TRON-style roadster, while Toyota created what it described as “a smartphone on wheels” in the shape of the ridiculously customizable Fun-Vii.

The EV-STER concept vehicle is certainly attractive, featuring an open top and a small footprint with an aerodynamic wedge-shaped body made from carbon fiber for reduced weight. The drivers side is on the right and features two joysticks instead of a steering wheel.

It’s a two-seater similar to the Tesla Roadster, but unfortunately with a lot less power and speed. Although Honda didn’t get too specific, they did mention that the EV-STER takes about 5 seconds to go from 0 to 60km/hr (37mph) and maxes out at about 99mph.

The vehicle is powered by a 10-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery that Honda claims can store enough charge to take you a distance of 100 miles. Recharging the vehicle would take under three hours at 200 volts.

[via Wired]

The AC-X is the more practical of the two and is a plug-in hybrid designed for both short and long commutes. It can be driven purely on a charge of its onboard battery or can switch to engine mode, allowing it to take on much longer trips than can be achieved on an electric-only vehicle. The Small Sports EV concept, on the other hands, is aimed at “fun” driving and looks to be a two-seater with a convertible top.

Both models have only been revealed in renderings with Honda likely saving the big unveil for the show in Tokyo next month. Honda will also be showcasing a new N Concept series that emphasizes the creation of ample space and will be debuting the first production model from that line called N BOX. Planned production models of various motorcycles such as the NC700S, INTEGRA, and NC700X will also be on hand.

[via AutoBlog]

Of course, as ASIMO is a ‘bot it can actually do some things better than humans. The sensors, for instance, enable face recognition, and ASIMO can recognize multiple people speaking simultaneously; it’s also capable of tracking peoples’ movement and predicting where they’ll be so as to avoid collisions.

New legs, meanwhile, mean ASIMO can walk, run, run backward, hop on one leg or on two legs continuously, thanks to stronger motors and a greater range of movement. Honda says that means the ‘bot can walk over uneven floors while still maintaining a stable posture, which certainly suggests the company has created the perfect robot butler to bring you a martini while you’re sunning yourself on rocks. It’ll get to you before the drink has lost its chill, too, thanks to an increased pace: up to 9km/hr, from 6km/hr.

Finally, there’s a new robotic hand with tactile and force sensors in each finger and the palm, giving ASIMO greater control over manipulating objects and ensuring he doesn’t crush your olive while threading it onto a toothpick. Similar tech has been integrated into a standalone robotic arm, which Honda may eventually offer to industrial clients as a way of interacting with potentially dangerous substances or in hazardous environments.

“Combined with the object recognition technology based on visual and tactile senses, this multi-fingered hand enables the all-new ASIMO to perform tasks with dexterity, such as picking up a glass bottle and twisting off the cap, or holding a soft paper cup to pour a liquid without squishing it. Moreover, ASIMO is now capable of making sign language expressions which require the complex movement of fingers” Honda

Honda has set up Honda Robotics, a task force gathering together all of its robot research, ASIMO development, assisted movement devices and individual personal transport gadgets. The group will attempt to push commercial applications of the various projects.

[Thanks Si!]

The concerns that initiated this recall have to do with repair problems with power windows and computer equipment. The recall will involve 936,000 Fit compacts, CR-V, and City models worldwide, including in the US, Europe, Japan, and China. Another 26,000 CR-Z hybrid models will also be recalled in the US, Canada, Japan, and other markets dues to defective programming of the electronic units.

The cost of the recall in Japan alone is expected to be around 1.29 billion yen or $16.8 million. Total cost estimates for the recall worldwide have not been revealed. Defective power-window switches, however, sound much less hazardous than Honda’s previous recall where issues with the automatic transmission saw engines cutting out unexpectedly.

[via WSJ]

The issue, Honda says, can occur when drivers quickly shift between reverse, neutral and drive, something that could take place if the car is stuck in grass or mud as the owner attempts to rock themselves out. That frequent changing can damage the automatic transmission secondary shaft bearing, prompting difficulties engaging park or, potentially more dangerous, leaving the engine prone to stalling.

Approximately 1.5m of the affected cars are in the US, while 760,515 are in China. In the US, certain 2005-2010 4-cylinder Accord, 2007-2010 CR-V and 2005-2008 Element vehicles will be brought back in; select Odyssey and Spirior models are also at risk. Owners can check their car’s status in the recall here.

[via AFP]

Video demo after the cut

That’s because of some seriously nifty wheel technology, which basically puts a strip of 90-degree cross angle wheels in among the regular ones.  The end result is a unicycle that can move in any direction, rather than needing to face that specific way, reacting to where you lean your body.

Apparently the battery is currently good for about an hour’s use, though we’re not sure how well it might work away from smooth carpet and out, instead, on pavements and the like.  From the sound of it Honda haven’t quite decided if they’re going to begin production, and even if they did it’s reportedly very expensive.

Honda has unveiled a new prototype urban mobility device that looks a lot bigger than the Segway and aimed more for driving down the street rather than on the sidewalks. The concept will debut at in Geneva next week and is called the 3R-C. The vehicle is battery powered and has some storage space ahead of the driver for your stuff.

The vehicle is three wheeled and has a clear canopy that covers the driver along with bodywork to protect the driver. The vehicle will carry one person and a bit of luggage. Is it just me, or does this thing look like the head from one of the small battle mechs in Mass Effect 2.

To do that, there’s a mounted bike and large display, along with speakers that extend out to surround the rider’s head.  The simulator shows various road conditions, while the bike controller itself is clever enough to recognize when the rider dismounts and walks it along, as per the road situation.  Secondary displays mean you can check over your shoulder and to the sides.

The content itself varies according to the user’s age, and Honda has pre-programmed simulations of “going to school,” “going to the grocery store,” “going to cram school” and “going to a local shopping street”.  As you might expect, they aren’t planning on selling very many of their Bicycle Simulators; in fact just 500 of the 732,900 yen ($8,253) systems are tipped to find buyers each year.

[via Autoblog]

Press Release:

Honda to Begin Sales of Honda Bicycle Simulator Developed for Traffic Safety Education

TOKYO, Japan, October 15, 2009 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin Japan-wide sales starting February 2010, of the Honda Bicycle Simulator developed for the purpose of traffic safety education. By safely experiencing the possible risks bicycle riders may face, users will improve their ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness. In addition, rider evaluation session which will follow the riding simulation will help users learn traffic rules and manners in an enjoyable way. Honda will aim for widespread use of this simulator by a range of customers including public offices, law-enforcement organizations, driving schools and educational institutions which conduct bicycle safety education programs primarily for school children and senior citizens. Honda will begin accepting pre-sale orders in November of this year.

In recent years, the total number of fatalities from traffic accidents has declined in Japan. However, the ratio of fatalities in accidents involving bicycles has increased. Bicycle riders aged 10 – 19 in and above the age of 50 have the highest chance to get involved in an accident, and approximately 70 percent of bicycle accidents are caused by violation of traffic rules.

Leveraging the know-how accumulated through its activities to promote traffic safety since 1964, Honda has been developing and selling motorcycle and automobile simulators since 1996 and 2001, respectively, as traffic safety educational devices which enable users to safely experience the risks based on real-world traffic situations. By offering these simulators, Honda’s goal is to improve people’s ability to predict risks and increase safety awareness. Striving to realize a richer mobility society in the future, Honda developed the Honda Bicycle Simulator as an educational tool for a wider range of people.

Key features of the Honda Bicycle Simulator

・ Compact design (length 2,270mm × height 1,400mm × width 990mm, weight 88kg)
・ Equipped with monitors to check right/left and behind.
・ Equipped with a “walking sensor” which recognizes the user’s action of walking the bicycle.

・ Contains different courses such as “going to school,” “going to the grocery store,” “going to cram school” and “going to a local shopping street” to offer realistic experiences for user groups of different ages.
・ Contains a course for the user to learn traffic laws and manners to ride a bicycle in mixed traffic.
・ After the simulation, the rider’s path can be reviewed from multiple vantage points -above/below and right/left- and the riding situation and evaluation will be displayed on the monitor.

Sales Plan (in Japan): 500 units per year

Suggested Retail Price (in Japan, including delivery fee): 732,900 yen (698,000 yen before tax)

Honda is set to publish research today in the latest edition of Science magazine that outlines a breakthrough in carbon nanotubes that promise to conduct electricity much faster than the circuits we use in our computers and gadgets today. The nanotube technology holds the keys to increasing the computing power and speed of our devices.

According to Honda, the tech has far reaching implications and has massive possibilities for miniaturization and energy efficiency. The tech can be used in computers, supercapacitors, batteries, solar cells, fuel cells, composite materials and many more items. Honda’s breakthrough allows for the structural formation of carbon nanotubes with metallic conductivity with a success rate of 91%, the average success rate today is only 25 to 50%. Metallic conducting properties are essential to the use of carbon nanotubes in electronic devices.

Honda has announced its own personal mobility device called the U3-X. The device looks like a high tech unicycle and fits between the user’s legs and is controlled by leaning in the direction the rider wants to move.

Honda says the U3-X can move in any direction including to the side and diagonally when the rider shifts body weight. It’s not clear form looking at the press release if the U3-X balances itself like the Segway or if the rider is responsible for balance like a bike. The U3-X will be shown at the Tokyo Motor Show 2009.

 
Okay, so the idea here is that when you drive over the road at a particular speed, it plays the William Tell Overture. Seriously. A bunch of grooves were cut into the road to create the differences in pitch as a part of a marketing campaign for the Honda Civic.

The problem, is that unless you’re driving a Honda Civic at a particular speed, all you’ll hear is a high-pitched drone. And even if you are driving at the right speed, it has all the musical quality of trying to play Jingle Bells on your phone’s keypad. It’s just not melodious and distracting, if anything. Enough drivers complained and now the stretch of highway is getting repaved.

[via CrunchGear]

Honda claims the FCX Clarity is twice more energy efficient than a gas-electricity hybrid car and runs only on hydrogen and electricity while emitting only water making it the most environmental friendly vehicle.

Honda will be leasing out several dozens units this year to two hundreds unit within a year. Three years lease includes maintenance and collision coverage would cost $600 monthly. I can’t wait until these car go mainstream and hydrogen fuel stations starting to cover as many area as normal gas pump station.

[via honda]

The bike, Dreamfit is made for those that are paralyzed from the waist down. Giving many bikers another chance. Darren Lomman modded a Honda CBR250RR so that it will hold the biker in place on the bike even without the use of their legs.

He used custom-molded ergonomic cups which is what holds the biker in place. The cups however, won’t place any pressure on the lower body.

[gizmowatch]

Currently a prototype, the project has been underway since 1999 and is being described as at the “feasibility stage”.  It’s based on similar research to that which taught ASIMO, Honda’s bipedal robot, how to walk without (normally) falling flat on its perspex face.  An onboard processor measures feedback from hip-angle sensors and augment with power from the flat, brushless motors accordingly.

Honda is demonstrating the ‘Walking Assist Device’ at the Barrier Free fair 2008, which apparently showcases “Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly & the Disabled”.  It’s currently underway at Intex Osaka.  Most excitingly, unlike many prototypes we see, delegates and visitors will actually get the opportunity to try the device on for themselves.  Hopefully Honda has arranged suitable security on hand, in case a newly-sprightly pensioner decides to run off with the gadget.

[via Born Rich]

ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, has an excellent track record versus the competition, but as technology progresses it seems to fall more and more. Honda boasts that ASIMO is a “glimpse into the future”, which sorta makes sense when you consider people will eventually fall and slip on ice or something they didn’t notice. We’re just following in ASIMO’s footsteps.

It’s easy to criticize ASIMO because it’s so expensive, but technological advances come at a price so there is something to be learned. If you don’t have the funds to build one yourself they can be hired out for the cost of a mid-sized home; $150,000. I’d rather stick to Honda’s more reliable mid-sized vehicle and take an Accord EX. The solution to the ASIMO problem is possibly this 119 lb humanoid needs to shed a few pounds or gain some in crucial areas to offset its momentum when climbing and descending stairs in front of a live audience. I think ASIMO has stage-fright.

Price: $1mil

ASIMO Falls Again, Not A Surprise [Via: hiptechblog.com]

Thankfully the Honda nurses were quick with the screens, as the crumpled humanoid lay twitching gently on the floor still chunnering about his ability to strut with the best of them.  Perhaps it’s time for Asimo to check into rehab?  We can only assume that he’s on so many drugs that he doesn’t even realise he’s fallen.  Rumours that as the stricken robot was stretchered back to the workshop he was heard deliriously muttering “I’m still a star!” are so far unconfirmed.

Asimo: ‘Help me, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!’ [Pink Tentacle]

Honda shows off next-gen fuel cell vehicle [Via: Mobile Mag]