Honda R&D Co., Ltd., the research and development subsidiary of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and Tohoku University established the Honda R&D x Tohoku University Innovative Mobility System Co-creation Research Center at Tohoku University’s Institute of Fluid Science (IFS) on September 1, 2026.

The center will operate through August 31, 2029, and will serve as a research hub that brings together Tohoku University’s academic expertise and Honda’s technological expertise and know-how in mobility. By combining their strengths, the two organizations aim to explore cutting-edge research themes with the potential to drive innovation in future mobility systems and advance research toward real-world applications.

The research hub will collaborate with faculties, schools, and other units across Tohoku University to explore trends in deep tech and other advanced research areas. Based on the insights gained through these activities, researchers from Honda R&D and Tohoku University will discuss potential research directions and develop research strategies. They will then conduct joint research on selected themes with the aim of accelerating the real-world application of research outcomes.

The center will be led by Toshiro Kiura, Fellow at Honda R&D, with Kaoru Maruta, Associate Executive Vice President at Tohoku University and Professor at IFS, supporting its operations. Researchers from Honda R&D and several Tohoku University institutes and research centers will also participate.

The Honda–Tohoku University initiative is part of Tohoku University’s Co-creation Research Center scheme, launched in April 2021 to support collaborative research with external partners. The scheme aims to make full use of the university’s research resources and encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to create new value and address societal challenges. As of the end of August 2026, 50 Co-creation Research Centers had been established.

Through this collaboration, Honda and Tohoku University will further deepen their partnership and strengthen the connections between research, talent, and knowledge. The partnership also aims to drive future innovation while supporting the development of the next generation of talent.




Details:
Head Office of Enterprise Partnership, Tohoku University
(Co-creation Research Center)
Japanese: https://www.rpip.tohoku.ac.jp/jp/information/kyoso_kenkyu/
English: https://www.rpip.tohoku.ac.jp/en/information/kyoso_kenkyu/

<Link>
Tohoku University Press Release

<Contact>
Office of International Research Strategy (Public Relations)
Institute of Fluid Science, Tohoku University
Tel: 022-217-5873
E-mail: ifs-koho*grp.tohoku.ac.jp
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