You guys, we're finally going to find out what the next step is in Honda's Koraidon Project!
From past announcements, we know at least three things already.
- That Honda built what purports to be a life-size Koraidon-type Pokémon, that it's incorporated some of the latest iterations of its self-balancing technology in the demonstrator vehicle
- That it's displayed this Koraidon in Japan a few times already in 2025
- That it's meant to be what Honda calls "a future mobility concept"
Now we can add a fourth thing to that list: That Honda is planning a "show run" of the Koraidon Project at the 2025 running of the Suzuka 8 Hour endurance race.
Before you get too excited; no, I am neither saying nor implying that Honda is running Koraidon in the Suzuka 8 Hour. While that would be a heck of a thing to announce, that's NOT AT ALL what Honda actually said.
No, instead, Honda says that the Koraidon Project will make "its debut on-road appearance" during the Suzuka 8 Hours pre-race ceremony. Furthermore, it will be in its "Sprinting Build" form when it does so—well, if it does so.
Because, you see, there's also a tiny little footnote at the bottom to take note of, if you're the kind of person who's really, really excited to see Koraidon finally take its tentative first run into the public consciousness. It reads, quite simply, "Showrun may be canceled without prior notice due to weather or track conditions." Just a little reminder that Koraidon isn't Gyarados, you guys.
The run isn't intended to last for very long, either. If it goes through as scheduled, it will take place on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. local time, and will last just 10 minutes at the Suzuka Circuit. Prior to that, if you stop by the Honda Racing Gallery inside the Suzuka Circuit on either Friday, August 1 or Saturday, August 2, you'll be able to witness Koraidon at rest prior to the scheduled showrun.
Will Koraidon Showcase Honda's Latest Riding Assist Tech?
Listen, I don't want to connect dots where there are no dots to be connected. That's how conspiracy theories start, right? That's not what this is for.
But since Honda has previously said that Koraidon will use Honda's self-balancing technology, and since Honda also simultaneously JUST released a new video (in Japanese only, sorry) showcasing the latest version of its self-balancing technology, it's awfully difficult not to put two and two together and get Koraidon.
Here's the video.
The video mentions that the latest version of HRA incorporates some of the things that the company has learned through modulating its self-balancing technologies with its bipedal robot, Asimo. Of particular note, in Honda's estimation, is the fact that its over 20 years of research with the ASIMO program allowed it to investigate and develop "technology which will absorb the impact of a collision between the robot and a person."
This, Honda says, led it to realize that a whole lot more research was necessary; including greater investigation into different scenarios involving robots and humans living in harmony. Another nugget of extreme interest in light of Project Koraidon is this: "Since we realized that the creation of a fully autonomous bipedal robot would still require long-term research in the future, we have been researching other methods of mobility for our robots. For example, the guide robot that was undergoing a verification process at the Narita International Airport used balls and wheels to move around, and we also conducted tests assuming a potential collision with small children."
Will Project Koraidon (Pok)Evolve Into A Rideable Autonomous Robot?
The evidence we've seen up to this point doesn't go quite that far. However, if Honda is confident enough in its progress to intend a showrun of Koraidon just about two weeks after the time I'm writing this, it does seem like it might be closer to some kind of reality than, say, the Kawasaki Corleo magic mountain-climbing mecha horse. But maybe that's just because Kawasaki hasn't scheduled a demonstrator test run of Corleo yet; who can say for sure?
In particular, Honda says it wanted to concentrate on maintaining balance at slow and stopped speeds, which of course makes sense. After all, that's usually when you're going to wobble, if you're going to wobble. There's a unique rear wheel stabilizing system that Honda briefly shows working in the video above, allowing the demonstrator motorcycle to remain upright, even as the test rider weaves it around the course at very slow (think parking lot) speeds.
Another interesting thing this project showcases is how decades of research in one area might not necessarily pay off immediately, but could instead go on to form the basis of future successful projects that probably wouldn't exist without that prior research. Or, the TL;DR version: Sometimes, the only path forward isn't a straight line to advance to where you want to go.
To tie this all up in a neat little bow, though, Honda so far hasn't said a single word (publicly, at least) about what kind of powertrain Koraidon will have. So, I ask you, fair RideApart readers, what kind of powertrain would you hope that Koraidon would have? Given Honda's recent EV releases, and its tendency to announce those very clearly, it seems unlikely that Koraidon is electric. In a certain way, that kind of makes sense; officially, Koraidon is considered a "paradox Pokémon."
Anyway, let us know what kind of powertrain would best suit the Koraidon in your head in the comments, if you please.
