Atsushi Hasegawa has won the ICRE 2024 Title, International Best Researcher of the
Year Award for my specialization in Automobile/Safety.
I graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Waseda University in 2004
and obtained a master's degree in Integrative Bioscience and Biomedical Engineering from
Waseda University in 2006. In the same year, I joined Honda R＆D Co., Ltd., where I
engaged in research on automotive safety technology. Serving as a collision CAE
(Computer-Aided Engineering) specialist. At Honda, I became assistant chief engineer in
2014 and chief engineer in 2021. I contributed to the development of mass-production
models such as the Civic and Accord. Subsequently, I took on the role of project leader in
the research of vehicle structures to enhance the rear-end and side collision safety
performance.
In the research on rear-end collisions, I constructed a new vehicle rear structure capable
of distributing load evenly to the left and right in the case of offset collisions, enabling high-
energy absorption. Additionally, I established a method to control deformation by defining
the deformation mode of the frame with high energy absorption. The results were
presented in papers such as "Enhancement of Longitudinal Energy Absorption Efficiency in
FMVSS 301" (published in the international conference WCX2020), "Load distribution
structure of rear bumper beam to enhance vehicle body energy absorption in rear-end
collisions" (published in the international conference ESV2023), and "Load Distribution by
Rear Bumper Beam in FMVSS 301R Test Protocol" (published in Honda Technical Review
2020).
In the study of side collisions, I devised a new B-pillar and door beam structure with new
IIHS MDB as a representative case. I successfully created a new load paths at B-pillar and
door beam that could support the lateral load from the barrier as axial loads in the vehicle's
longitudinal, vertical, and lateral directions, leading to a reduction in vehicle body
deformation. These achievements were presented in papers such as "New load transfer
structure to reduce body deformation in side collisions" (published in the international
conference ESV2023) and "B-pillar Load Transfer Mechanism in Side Collision" (published
in Honda Technical Review 2022).
Currently, I am actively involved in the development of analytical techniques utilizing
Bayesian estimation and surrogate modeling to propose design conditions and new
structures with high reliability in a short period. With a vision for the integration of collision
safety technology and digital technology, I have shared the our projects through lectures at
events such as the JSAE's technical symposium in 2021 and Webinar hosted by
PROGRESS TECHNOLOGIES in 2022.
Looking ahead, I aim to contribute to new collision safety technologies in anticipation of
the proliferation of electric vehicles and preventive safety technologies. I also seek to
explore research that integrates a wide range of fields such as energy and AI, creating new
value in mobility.
2024-08-29