ASIMO Development Reportedly Ends: Honda "Will Continue Development of Humanoid Robots" - ITmedia NEWS
https://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/spv/1806/28/news082_0.html
Honda's humanoid robot technology was honor of Honda, But the honor is now displaced by Boston Dynamics' robot.
We all know the adorable image of German Chancellor Merkel and ASIMO kicking a ball around.
However, Boston Dynamics' robot was not only bipedal, but even at that time it had the physical capabilities of a parkour athlete.
But this is also a sign of Honda's maturity as a company.
At best, the existing business is so stable that there is no need to challenge it.
In other words, there are no opportunities to challenge.
When the development of ASIMO and HondaJet started, Honda was in the same position as Tesla and Boston Dynamics today.
It was a time when things were still vibrant and varied, and innovative ideas were still tolerated.
In other words, you had to be innovative to survive.
New entrants could not sell their products even if they made the same products as the big companies. Therefore, they have no choice but to challenge themselves.
This is true not only for Honda, but for any company.
Nowadays, Honda has matured as a company (although it is on the verge of becoming a shady industry) and has a huge number of employees. They can't afford to lean on their existing business by trying something new.
Many of the employees have families and their own lives, and they cannot afford to lose their income.
In such a situation, innovative businesses and ideas are a major risk factor in the lives of employees.
I have been repeatedly asked not to propose anything new.
In my workplace, there used to be a department that specialized in basic research, but it has now disappeared.
As I wrote in another article, I don't have the impression that basic research is as active as it used to be.
I don't think there has been a "heart-pounding, Honda-like excitement" since the RC211V's V-5 engine.
Old companies tend to be conservative. This is not generally a bad thing, but moderation is important in everything.
Neither clinging too tightly to existing businesses nor trying too many new things will not work.
A well-balanced management will ensure the survival of the company.
