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Yamaha Motor's Waza and Sube

Awards

Introducing the stories behind Yamaha Motor's technologies.

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Year
Award
Technology

2024　ITEC-AP (Asia-Pacific) 2023 Best Paper Award

Awarded: Operating Characteristic of Adjustable-Field Permanent Magnet Motors with 3D Magnetic Paths and Asymmetric Magnet Arrangement

Development of 1) a structure that can electrically control the magnetic force generated by the rotor of a variable field motor and 2) a method to improve efficiency that achieves both high-torque operation and highly efficient operation at high-speed, low-torque ranges.
(Results of a joint research project with the Noguchi and Iwama Laboratory at Shizuoka University)
Recipient(s): Yutaro Hiyoshi
Engineering Division 2, Automotive Development Section, Technical Research & Development Center

2023　The Japan Institute of Light Metals (JILM) Light Metal Advancement Award

Awarded: Outstanding contributions to the body of academic research and technological development concerning light metals contributing to weight reduction with motorcycles, i.e., research into aluminum alloys; research for improving the durability of parts made of titanium alloys; R&D of vacuum die-casting technology, fatigue characteristics, bright heat treatment, coating technology, and more that led to the practical use of magnesium alloys for large parts like wheels and subframes; and other studies.
Recipient(s): Takaharu Suzuki
Materials Division, Manufacturing Technology Center

2022　ICEE (The International Council on Electrical Engineering Conference) 2022 Best Oral Award

Awarded: Experimental Study on Low-Speed Control for Motorcycles Using SPACAR Model and Gain-Scheduling Control; This study examined using SPACAR—a flexible multibody dynamics analysis and simulation software—for the creation of a vehicle dynamics model for motorcycles traveling at low speeds of no more than 10 km/h, at which tires do not slide. An optimal design method using a speed-dependent scale model and weights was used to calculate feedback control gains, and the speed-dependent gains were used to verify stable vehicle response at a speed no more than 1.5 km/h (slower than the average walking speed) with both simulations and a prototype vehicle.
(Results of a joint research project with the Susumu Hara Laboratory in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the Graduate School of Engineering of Nagoya University)
Recipient(s): Mitsuo Tsuchiya
Digital Engineering Division, Digital Development Section, Technical Research & Development Center; Tetsuya Kimura
R&D Strategy Division, New Venture Business Development & R&D Strategy Section, Technical Research & Development Center

2022　 SCIE Chubu Branch Technology Award / Business-Academia Cooperation Award

Awarded: Robust control design for self-standing when stopped and at very low speeds in the automated motorcycle MOTOROiD; A major advancement was achieved in the robustness of the self-standing function of the motorcycle concept model MOTOROiD (introduced 2017). The adoption of a sliding-mode control system with high-frequency cutoff characteristics contributed to a dramatic improvement in the control unit capacity to sense and adjust to external disturbances. And this was achieved without requiring any changes in the machine’s chassis design.
A joint research project with Susumu Hara, Professor, Ph.D., Department of Aerospace Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, led to a beneficial coexistence of different requirements: improvement of the self-standing function and suppression of the residual mode.
Recipient(s): Mitsuo Tsuchiya
Digital Engineering Division, Digital Development Section, Technical Research & Development Center; Tetsuya Kimura
R&D Strategy Division, New Venture Business Development & R&D Strategy Section, Technical Research & Development Center

2019　Japan Foundry Engineering Society Castings of the Year Award

Awarded: Lightweight, high-rigidity aluminum wheels; These cast aluminum wheels for a sport Leaning Multi-Wheel (LMW)^* model feature both light weight and high rigidity achieved through finite element analysis (FEA), which enables more realistic modeling, mid-cast solidification analysis to increase strength and resistance to pressure, and other engineering processes.
*Yamaha Motor’s designation for vehicles with three or more wheels that can lean through turns like a motorcycle.
Recipient(s): Kentaro Suenaga
Power Train Engineering Division, Production Engineering Section, Manufacturing and Production Engineering Center

2019　The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Prizes for Science and Technology (Development Category)

Awarded: Development of Control Systems for Industrial-use Unmanned Helicopters
Recipient(s): Katsu Nakamura
Unmanned System Section, Robotics Business Unit, Solution Business Operations

2019　JSME Tokai Branch Technology Award

Awarded: Study on self-standing motorcycle control mechanism (AMCES); AMCES is a high-precision balance control mechanism governed via artificial intelligence and autonomous technology. Equipped on the MOTOROiD concept model, this allows the machine to sense its own state and adjust its center of gravity accordingly to stand up off its kickstand and remain upright unassisted.
Recipient(s): Mitsuo Tsuchiya
Digital Engineering Division, Digital Development Section, Mobility Technology Center; Eiichiro Tsujii
Planning Division, New Venture Business Development Section, Advanced Technology Center; Takashi Terayama
Engineering Division 2, Automotive Business Unit; Takashi Tsurumi
Fundamental Technology Research Division, Research & Development Section, Advanced Technology Center

2018　SLAS New Product Award

Awarded: CELL HANDLER™; The cell picking & imaging system CELL HANDLER™ applies Yamaha’s surface mount technology originally developed for mounting electronic parts on printed circuit boards. CELL HANDLER™ rapidly and accurately transfers target cells to microplates for culturing or evaluations and analyzes images captured during drug discovery and development, efficacy tests for anti-cancer agents, etc.

2017　Interbike Product Innovation Awards

Awarded: PW-X; This electric power-assist system designed for mountain bikes consists of easy-to-use ergonomic switches, an LCD display and a drive unit with lower weight and greater levels of compactness over its predecessor.

2017　Sokeizai Industry Technology Award

Awarded: Development of a new manufacturing method for aluminum motorcycle fuel tanks
Recipient(s): Yoshihiro Kimura, Noboru Mitsui, Masatoshi Miyamoto, Gou Nagura, Kazuya Iida, Kyosuke Nomura
Manufacture Technology Division, Component Section, Engine Unit

2017　Japan Boat of the Year: Special Award

Awarded: Helm Master; This control system for outboard-mounted boats provides electronic control of all the steering, gear shifting and throttle functions, etc., to allow intuitive control of the boat via a single joystick for maneuvering through narrow waterways, when docking or setting off and the like.
Recipient(s): Isao Kanno
Research & Development Section, Marine Engine Business Unit

2016　nano tech Initiative Award

Awarded: The Development of the Ceramics Nano-Film Coating Having Both High Corrosion Resistance and Excellent Heat Resistance
Recipient(s): Naohisa Takahashi
Materials Division, Component Section, Engine Unit

2010　Sokeizai Industry Technology Award

Awarded: Development of magnesium die-casting technology for large, thin-walled vehicle chassis parts
Recipient(s): Toshikatsu Koike, Junichi Inami, Atsushi Suzuki, Kenji Tsukamoto, Takaharu Suzuki
Material Division, Research & Development Operations

2006　JIM Technical Development Award

Awarded: Development of New Advanced Stainless Steel “NSSC21M” for Catalysis Substrate of Motorcycle Muffler
Recipient(s): Naohisa Takahashi, et al.
Materials Division, Component Section, Engine Unit

2005　JDCA Urakami Award

Awarded: Development of an All-Aluminum Cylinder Using a Hypereutectic Al-Si Alloy
Recipient(s): Hirotaka Kurita, Hiroshi Yamagata
Advanced Technology Research, Research & Development Operations

2005　JSPMI Chairman's Prize

Awarded: Development of the Performance Damper
Recipient(s): Seiji Sawai, Kouji Sakai, Katsuhiro Kondou, Masahiro Satou
Automotive Business Unit

2005　JSTP Tokai Branch Technology Award

Awarded: Development of Fracture Splitting Method for Case Hardened Connecting Rods
Recipient(s): Tsuyoshi Kubota, Shinya Iwasaki, Tsuneo Isobe, Toshikatsu Koike
Materials Division, Component Section, Engine Unit

2003　SFJ Technology Award

Awarded: Hard Anodic Oxide Coating on the Piston-Ring Groove of a Cu-Rich Aluminum Piston with Mixed Acid Electrolytes
Recipient(s): Hirotaka Kurita, Hiroshi Yamagata, Toshikatsu Koike, et al.
Advanced Technology Research, Research & Development Operations

2000　Boating Week Innovation Award

Awarded: F225; The F225 featured an internal layout which reversed the configuration of the air intake and exhaust systems to create an “in-bank exhaust system,” a first for an outboard motor. Compared to other models with similar horsepower, the 4-stroke F225 was significantly lighter and more compact.

2000　MotorBoating and Sailing Award

Awarded: High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI); Compared to conventional direct-injection systems of the time that used pressures of around 20 bar (290 psi), this fuel injection system for outboard motors made it possible to inject fuel at much higher pressures of 50 bar (725 psi). By reducing the injection spray into finer particles, it improved combustion efficiency, thus lowering fuel consumption and producing cleaner emissions.

2000　Popular Mechanics Design and Engineering Award

Awarded: High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI); Compared to conventional direct-injection systems of the time that used pressures of around 20 bar (290 psi), this fuel injection system for outboard motors made it possible to inject fuel at much higher pressures of 50 bar (725 psi). By reducing the injection spray into finer particles, it improved combustion efficiency, thus lowering fuel consumption and producing cleaner emissions.

1999　MotorBoating and Sailing Award

Awarded: F100; This 1,596cc inline 4-cylinder 100 hp 4-stroke outboard motor featured the world’s first 16-valve DOHC engine.

1998　JSPM Award for Innovative Development

Awarded: Development of SiC-Composite-PM Aluminum Alloy Piston
Recipient(s): Toshikatsu Koike, Hiroshi Yamagata
Fundamental Technology Research, Technology Center

1997　JSTP Technological Development Award

Awarded: A Newly Developed Forging Technique for High-Performance Pistons
Recipient(s): Toshikatsu Koike, Hiroshi Yamagata
Fundamental Technology Research, Technology Center

1994　JSPMI Chairman's Prize

Awarded: Development of Electrically Power-Assisted Bicycles

1992　Popular Mechanics Design and Engineering Award

Awarded: Hydra Drive Propulsion System; Thanks to the use of a hydraulic clutch and other features, this propulsion unit for stern drives provided incredibly smooth gearshifts, something considered groundbreaking at the time.

1991　Energy Conservation Prize: Outstanding Product Award

Awarded: Multi-purpose 3 hp 3-room Yamaha gas-powered air conditioning system; This cost-effective Gas Heat Pump (GHP) air conditioner system used engine exhaust heat to enhance heat exchange efficiency, and was especially effective when utilized for heated flooring and the like.

1990　FISITA World Automotive Congress Outstanding Paper Award

Awarded: Traction Drive CVT for Motorcycle
Recipient(s): Yasushi Ichihara
Motorcycle Center, Testing Group

1989　The Japan Gas Association Technology Award

Awarded: Development of a compact gas-heater pump

1988　Prizes for Creativity in the Workplace: Director General of the Science and Technology Agency Award

Awarded: Design of a compact automatic cleaning machine
Recipient(s): Taketsugu Suzuki
Production Department 21

1987　Japan Lead Zinc Development Association Chairman’s Prize

Awarded: Practicalization of ZA-12 alloy
Recipient(s): Yamada
1st Research Division

1987　PackOsaka Exhibition Packaging and Logistics Technology Contest Silver Medal

Awarded: New packaging system for fuel tanks
Recipient(s): Parts Business Unit

1986　Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Award

Awarded: Invention and design of the Yamaha Rapid Plating System
Recipient(s): Hiroshi Tsukakoshi
R&D Division

Toshiyuki Suzuki
Purchasing Management Division

1986　The New Seven Basic Tools of Quality Association Prize for Excellence

Awarded: Study of Prioritization and Evaluation Methods for Planning and Management Work: Improving Target Management Approaches in the Manufacturing Technology Planning Department
Recipient(s): Dai Kawasaki
Production Department 31

1985　Tomizuka Prize

Awarded: R&D and practicalization of an exhaust timing control system for high-performance 2-stroke engines (Yamaha Power Valve System)
Recipient(s): Masayasu Mizoguchi
Motor Sports Development Operations

1984　Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers Medal

Awarded: LDV Measurements of Pipe Flows in a Small-Two-Cycle Spark-Ignition Engine
Recipient(s): Noritaka Matsuo
Research Division

Yoshio Hirano, et al.
Power Products Business Unit

1964　Auto & Motor Sport Magazine Annual Trophy

Awarded: YG-1; This motorcycle’s 2-stroke 75cc 6.5 hp single-cylinder engine featured a cutting-edge rotary disc valve intake and was mounted in a lightweight and compact 70 kg chassis, resulting in outstanding performance and reliability.

Yamaha Motor's Waza and Sube

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