Revolutionising Riding

Honda was the first in the world to introduce the Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) to motorcycles in 2010. How is "Honda E-Clutch" different from DCT?

Ito: For motorcycles equipped with DCT, there is no need for a clutch lever or shift pedal. The system takes care of clutch operation and shift changes on behalf of the rider. On the other hand, motorcycles equipped with "Honda E-Clutch" still have both the clutch lever and shift pedal. This is a significant difference. In the case of "Honda E-Clutch", there is no completely automatic (AT) mode. Riders need to perform the shift operations themselves, requiring the use of the left foot for the shift pedal.

Ono: The ability to perform clutch operation at any time is a significant feature of "Honda E-Clutch". Clutch operation is a point where differences in driving skills can be apparent. However, mastering challenging operations and turning them into skills is also one of the enjoyable aspects of the appeal of motorcycles. Rather than relying entirely on automatic transmission (AT) technology, riders can freely choose and operate in various riding scenarios. Sometimes opting for more comfort and at times opting for a more sporty feel. In this manner, I hope many people can experience the joy of riding.

Project cancellations, the hurdle of mass production. Still, a relentless 10 years that couldn't be given up. Tell us about the circumstances of development.

Ono: During the advancement of DCT, there was a demand for the next technology that would be simpler in design, balancing cost considerations. While clutch control technology gained support, challenges such as the higher price range and increased vehicle weight compared to MT (manual transmission) motorcycles emerged. It was around 10 years ago that we began thinking about how to overcome these issues.

First, we started by leveraging the knowledge from DCT and thinking about applying that technology to develop an electronic control clutch (hereinafter referred to as "E-Clutch"). In the prototype stage, we believed we had developed a technology that we could confidently present. However, as we progressed with research and development aiming for integration into production vehicles, we faced challenges in achieving cost-effectiveness, lightweight design, and integration goals. There were many setbacks, and ultimately, the project was discontinued midway. As the development scale reduced, the team gradually dwindled, and eventually, the only ones left were Ryuzaki and me.

Ryuzaki: At that time, although the technology was technically viable, we couldn't overcome the barriers of cost, weight, and integration, ultimately leading to the project not moving towards mass production. Having had confidence that we could create something good during the development stage, it was a very frustrating experience.

What aspects of electronic control for the clutch were particularly challenging?

Ono: After the conclusion of the predecessor project, when initiating the Honda E-Clutch project, we reworked the concept around the theme of "Evolution of Manual Transmission Vehicles". During that process, it was non-negotiable that the clutch lever was deemed necessary. Capable of both automatic control and manual operation. Achieving the goals of cost reduction, weight reduction, and compactness while making it adaptable to a wide range of models and maintaining both automatic control and manual operation was necessary. To achieve these goals with the minimum necessary configuration, we adopted a technology that directly controls the clutch with a motor, something that had not been tried before. In the realization process, we incorporated Honda's expertise in robotics, including motor and sensor configurations and control theory for processing speed. Additionally, with the wealth of experience in mass production development of DCT and quick shifters^*3, Ito, who is of similar mindset with me and joined the development at the same time, was a great support both technically and mentally.

Ryuzaki: During the development, we had dynamic test evaluation members ride for testing, discussed improvement points, and programmed the logic. While trying various scenarios, we repeated this process, and including the predecessor project, we revised the software specifications more than 500 times in total.

Ito: Due to the characteristics of the system, members of the technical evaluation and veteran engineers around us opposed, suggesting that it might be better to change the control philosophy. There were months of discussions between the members advising to suppress the output through control intervention for the sake of system durability and the development team emphasizing the user-friendliness and operability for riders. In the end, we were able to reach a specification that everyone was satisfied with.

What expectations do you have for how "Honda E-Clutch" will change the world?

Ryuzaki: While preserving the charm of riding and controlling the bike manually, I believe that with the assistance in clutch operation, riding will become even more enjoyable. With the ease provided in cornering and other aspects, controlling the machine as intended becomes more effortless. I hope this feature attracts a lot of users.

Ono: I believe that the performance is good enough that you won't need to grip the clutch lever under normal riding conditions. Actually, the level of completion is just that high. Since we kept the manual lever, even when the system is off, you can still shift, and it's also possible to engage a gear while parking on a slope to prevent the vehicle from rolling down the hill, because the wheels don’t turn.

Ito: For example, let's say you're going camping. There may be scenes where the road to the campsite is unpaved and has poor footing. Thanks to the automated clutch operation, the rider can focus solely on controlling the vehicle on rough terrain without the risk of stalling. The expanded options for motorcycle touring are expected to broaden the range of activities and destinations. I hope we can expand the possibilities of new motorcycles.

Honda has the slogans “The Power of Dreams” and “How we move you.”. What dreams do you have for the future?

Ito: I wanted to work in technical development when I was looking for a job. I considered various fields for development, including home appliances, but what intrigued me about emotionally driven mobility, such as motorcycles used as a hobby, is that it can show various facets depending on the customer and the usage scenario. That's why I joined Honda. I want to continue advancing motorcycle technology as products that stimulate human senses, offering pure enjoyment. Just as DCT has continued to evolve, I aim to further advance motorcycle technology in the next 10 years.

Ryuzaki: These past 10 years felt like walking through a dark tunnel, with Ono and me constantly on edge, unsure when the project might be terminated. Nevertheless, by refusing to give up and resolving to move forward, we managed to introduce the technology to the world. The understanding, support, and encouragement from those around us played a significant role in this achievement. It might be part of Honda's corporate culture. This development experience has elevated our technical expertise and contributed to our personal growth. While we are grateful to the company that gave us a chance despite being initially discontinued, we hope to repay that gratitude by bringing smiles to people worldwide through Honda-style products and services.

Ono: I have always wanted to develop technology that can change the world. If we are going to do something, I have always believed that we should not just follow the path that our predecessors have paved, but rather, we should do something that only we can do. I want to make customers happy with that technology, create something even more enjoyable. With that determination, I joined Honda, so perhaps the slogan "The Power of Dreams" naturally resonated within me. After ten years of continuous development, I have many things I want to do and numerous ideas. The evolution of one technology can lead to the development of others, sparking further innovation. I want to continue creating technologies, products, and services that can change the world in the future.