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Honda Walking Assist Device begins US testing at Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

For years, we've been wondering what implications Honda's Asimo robot could have in the real world, and now we're starting to get a sense of that. Honda announced that it will begin its first US clinical studies of the Walking Assist Device at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in an effort to provided improved mobility for people who have suffered a stroke. While the automotive tie-in here is pretty weak, this is the first time we've heard about this device since it was unveiled back in 2008.
Weighing in at six pounds, Honda's device is fitted to the waist and legs of patients to make it easier to walk, and the 22.2-volt lithium-ion battery provides enough electricity for more than an hour of operation. According to Honda's press release, which is posted below, up to 80 percent of the almost 800,000 stroke victims each year (in the US alone) are afflicted with limited mobility, so a medical aid like this could have a big impact in the real world.

Sales incentive growth clustered around brands with few CUVs, trucks

While it's arguably been around the longest, the dominance of the four-door sedan has been under threat for many years. As a further sign of the hurtin' that SUVs and crossovers have put on today's four-doors, a new report from Automotive News points to the increasing use of incentives by brands reliant on cars and light on CUVs and pickups.
Honda, Toyota, Volkswagen and Kia have all been stung by double-digit increases in their incentives-to-transaction price ratio, according to AN, which cites data from TrueCar. Honda's ratio is up 14 percent, while Toyota, VW and Kia are up 18, 15 and 19 percent, respectively.
"Most of the incentive growth we have seen is in product segments with low demand - midsized or large sedans," TrueCar CEO John Krafcik told AN. "As this trend goes on, the brands with three-sedan strategies are going to be in worse shape on incentive spending than the crossover brands."

Honda recalls Accord to replace airbag control unit

The Basics: Honda will recall 341,444 examples of the 2008-2010 Accord sedan in the US. The Problem: Moisture can enter the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit and cause corrosion. Over time, this could cause the part to fail, which might prevent the airbags from deploying in a crash. Injuries/Deaths: Honda confirms two injuries from this problem. The Fix: Dealers will replace the supplemental restraint system electronic control unit. If You Own One: Honda won't begin the recall until fall 2016 because of the large number of vehicles that will need the repair. The company will inform owners about the problem by mail in mid-March and will notify them again when the parts are available. However, if owners see the supplemental restraint system warning light illuminate before the recall begins, they can visit a dealer for a diagnostic check. If technicians find the problem, then they can replace electronic control unit immediately from Honda's limited supply of replacement parts. Related Video: Statement by American Honda Regarding SRS Electronic Control Unit Recall: 2008-2010 Honda Accord Sedan Feb 3, 2016 - TORRANCE, Calif. Approximately 341,000 Accord Sedans affected in the United States The SRS electronic control unit will be replaced, free of charge Two injuries have been confirmed related to this issue American Honda will voluntarily recall approximately 341,000 Honda Accord Sedans from the 2008-2010 model years in the U.S. to replace the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) electronic control unit. Manufacturing process issues may allow moisture to enter the circuitry within the SRS electronic control unit, which, over time, can cause corrosion and eventual malfunction of the unit. If the SRS control unit fails from this scenario, the SRS indicator will illuminate on the vehicle's dashboard, and, in the event of a vehicle crash, the airbags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Honda has confirmed two injuries related to this issue. A new SRS control unit will be installed in affected vehicles, free of charge. However, due to the large volume of new parts needed to repair affected units, the necessary parts will not be available until fall 2016. As a result, owners of affected vehicles will be informed of the recall in an initial mailed notification letter in mid-March 2016. A second notification letter will be sent to inform owners when parts become available.