Tech Honda presents its autonomous Pokémon motorcycle

[thomas]

Honda Motor recently showcased its self-driving technology with a motorcycle modelled after the Pokémon creature Koraidon, taking it for a demonstration run at the Suzuka Circuit racetrack. The presentation took place during the Suzuka 8 Hours, the famous endurance race in Mie Prefecture , earlier this month. The Koraidon-inspired bike moved autonomously near the starting line at a steady pace of about seven to eight kilometres per hour, continuing for roughly ten minutes and mimicking the creature's movements from the game.

Honda Koraidon

Koraidon itself features in Pokémon Scarlet, the ninth title in the long-running series. In the game, the legendary creature has wheel-like body parts. It can be ridden by characters, often acting as their primary form of transport.

To achieve life-like motion for the Koraidon bike, Honda applied balance control technologies developed as part of its now-retired Asimo humanoid robot project. These technologies help make the movements of the four-legged Koraidon smoother. The goal is to accumulate more technologies that could lead to greater autonomy. To realise autonomous movement, the robot uses a combination of sensors, cameras and communications technologies to recognise and navigate its environment. Self-driving is going to be indispensable for growth in the motorcycle business. A survey from the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association for fiscal 2023 shows that only 10% of motorcycle buyers were under 40.

Paywall alert:

Honda's autonomous Pokemon motorcycle hits Suzuka Circuit race track

Technology from retired Asimo robot brings self-driving bike closer

asia.nikkei.com

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[Mikawa Ossan]

I was really hoping the video would show it moving, if even only on a controlled track. I wonder how well it can navigate actual streets?

 

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

Honda Unveils Moving Pokémon Bike at Suzuka 8 Hours Endurance Race – August 3, 2025


On August 3, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. unveiled the moving version of its futuristic mobility concept, the "Honda Koraidon," at the venue of the 2025 FIM Endurance World Championship "Coca-Cola" Suzuka 8 Hours, 46th Edition (held at Suzuka Circuit, August 1–3).


The Honda Koraidon made its first dynamic appearance during the pre-race ceremony before the start of the Suzuka 8 Hours final. The machine recreates the legendary Pokémon "Koraidon" as a nearly life-sized mobility platform. Developed under the supervision of The Pokémon Company, the Honda Koraidon is a future mobility model shaped after Koraidon, the Pokémon that appears in the game Pokémon Scarlet. Both the weight and dimensions were meticulously designed to replicate the Pokémon at close to full scale.


Previously, the model was first displayed from March 7–9, 2025, at the Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama, and since then, Honda has continued developing and manufacturing it with its engineering expertise and proprietary technologies. This event marked the first time the Honda Koraidon was seen in motion.


The project team consisted of about 40 volunteers recruited internally from Honda's motorcycle and power products divisions, as well as its Advanced Technology Research Institute. Under the slogan "Honda's passion becomes children's dreams," the team applied design philosophies and simulation technologies cultivated through Honda's motorcycle business, while incorporating advanced balance-control technologies from the institute. Their aim was to push the limits in reimagining Koraidon from the game world as a Honda mobility concept.

ホンダ、鈴鹿8耐で動く「ホンダコライドン」初公開

本田技研工業は8月3日、ホンダが開発したミライモビリティ「ホンダコライドン」の動く姿を、鈴鹿8耐「2025 FIM 世界耐久選手権“コカ・コーラ”鈴鹿8時間耐久ロードレース第46回大会」（鈴鹿サーキット：8月1日～3日開催）の会場で初披露した。

car.watch.impress.co.jp

Oh, and last year Toyota also built a Pokémon bike.