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New Video Highlights Honda Engineers Working on Walking Assist Device

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Honda Engineers Are Who Makes a Honda

Honda Robotics engineers Hideaki Takahashi (left) and Kenton Williams (right)

Honda has released another installment of its 12-part “What Makes a Honda is Who Makes a Honda” video series, which highlight the various personalities behind the company, from aerospace engineers to customer service managers. This time, instead of profiling just one person, Honda has chosen to highlight a pair of engineers, whose teamwork is helping to create the Walking Assist Device, a robotic technology designed to aid patients undergoing walking therapy.

Take a look:

Honda R&D associates Hideaki Takahashi and Kenton Williams share a common goal, but very different backgrounds.

The Japanese-born Takahashi was working on Honda’s ASIMO robot project before transferring to Honda R&D Americas in Raymond, Ohio, to take over the Walking Assist Device project. Williams, coincidentally, became interested in robotics when he witnessed a demonstration of ASIMO while still a student at Ohio State University.

After earning his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, Williams eventually found himself working with Takahashi in the department of Honda Robotics. Despite the language barrier, Williams was thrilled to be working with Takahashi.

“Synergy is the best way to describe it,” Williams said of his working relationship with Takahashi.

“We have a language barrier, and we also come from different cultural backgrounds,” Takahashi adds. “But of course, the common language is technology.”

The two also have a shared desire to help those with disabilities, which drives their work.

“Walking is the most primitive, fundamental form of mobility. That’s why it is important for Honda to continue to work on this product,” Takahashi said. “I would like everyone to be able to walk… That is my wish.”