The life-size replica of the Pok\u00e9mon Koraidon measures an impressive 2.5 meters and weighs around 303 kg (668 lbs).\u00a0 Visually, the vehicle only looks like an eye-catching plastic figure.\u00a0 In reality, however, it is supposed to be a functional motorcycle with wheels, even if everything is visually concealed by rigid plastic cladding.\u00a0 Honda wants to show how advanced technologies can be used in a playful and creative way.<\/p>\n
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The focus is on Honda’s self-developed balance technology, known as \u201cHonda Riding Assist\u201d.\u00a0 This was first presented to the public back in 2017.\u00a0 At that time, Honda demonstrated the system on a converted NC750X, which was able to stand, ride backwards and forwards independently and follow a person.\u00a0 With Koraidon, Honda wants to go one step further: The motorcycle should be able to stand upright independently without any support, both on two wheels and on four legs – similar to the virtual model in the game.<\/p>\n
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Koraidon is said to have movable details such as hands, legs, neck and face, at least that’s what Honda talked about in advance.\u00a0 However, the images shown now look as if only the legs can move, and even that could only appear to be the case.\u00a0 According to Honda, these elements will change dynamically depending on speed and movement mode.\u00a0 Honda is talking about a \u201cSprinting Build\u201d mode that makes the bike look alive and realistically simulates the movements of the Pok\u00e9mon Koraidon.\u00a0 However, it remains unclear whether they are really ready or whether this is a future goal.<\/p>\n
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A team of around 40 young engineers from various fields – including motorcycles, automobiles and marine – has been working on the Koraidon project since July 2024.\u00a0 The team’s aim is to spark young people’s interest in the motorcycle industry and mobility technologies in general.\u00a0 Junichi Sakamoto, chief engineer at Honda, told Nikkei Asia that projects such as Koraidon could help the company to hold its own against new competitors from countries such as China and India in an increasingly globalized market.<\/p>\n
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Honda originally planned to get Koraidon moving at a slow speed of around 10 km\/h by the summer of 2025.\u00a0 At the current exhibition, however, the motorcycle is stationary, so it is not clear whether the vehicle will actually be able to walk or move on wheels in the traditional way.\u00a0 So far, there are no public demonstrations that show whether and how the motorcycle’s legs could actually move.\u00a0 This remains pure speculation for the time being.<\/p>\n
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Even if Koraidon looks like a pure fan project at first glance, there is an ambitious technical development behind it.\u00a0 Honda is using the popular Pok\u00e9mon character to draw attention to innovative technologies and tap into potential new target groups.\u00a0 It remains to be seen how extensively Koraidon will ultimately be technically implemented and what applications could arise from it – possibly also in the assistive area for people with limited mobility.<\/p>\n
What is certain is that Honda has successfully combined creativity, pop culture and modern engineering with this unusual approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
[amazon bestseller=”Pokemon Koraidon” items=”3″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n