Daihatsu to Show Six Exhibits at Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026, Led by Ammonia-Hydrogen Engine

Daihatsu will exhibit at Japan Mobility Show Bizweek 2026, held at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall in Mihama-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, from October 13 to October 16, 2026. The event is organized by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) and aims to create business co-creation opportunities between mobility-related companies and startups shaping the next generation. Under its brand message "DAIHATSUMEI for me. Invented for you.", the Daihatsu booth will feature six exhibits addressing the "New Seven Challenges" identified by JAMA. This year's exhibit focuses on two themes, "Connecting Energy" and "Connecting People".

The ammonia/hydrogen co-firing engine is intended to expand carbon-neutral fuel options by using ammonia, which is expected to serve as a hydrogen carrier because it is easy to liquefy and has a relatively high energy density. A portion of the ammonia stored in a dedicated tank is reformed into hydrogen using a plasma reactor and catalyst mounted on top of the engine. By co-firing that hydrogen with ammonia, which is difficult to ignite, the system aims to achieve both sufficient driving range and stable combustion. A development-stage actual engine will be displayed at the JAMA joint exhibition booth, and Daihatsu is seeking partners to jointly address challenges in ammonia reforming, exhaust gas purification, downsizing, safety technologies and supply infrastructure.

The regional microgrid is a DC-based system that combines solar power generation, storage batteries and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Power conversion equipment, including the Smart Power Hub (SPH), is integrated into a transportable container, while BEVs serve as mobile storage batteries. The system helps reduce peak electricity demand during normal operation and lowers CO2 emissions, and in the event of a disaster it can keep supplying electricity even when grid power is disrupted, supporting the continuity of public services. Separately, the biogas project promotes resource circulation within Ryuo Town through collaboration among crop farming, livestock farming and manufacturing: biogas generated from manure produced by Omi cattle is used as carbon-neutral fuel at an automobile manufacturing plant, and the compost and liquid fertilizer remaining after fermentation are reused in agriculture.

Two of the "Connecting People" exhibits put AI to work. The DX application "DAIHATSU × stAIle", shown publicly for the first time, uses AI to analyze visitors' clothing, colors and overall appearance captured at the booth and recommends the Daihatsu vehicle from past and present models that best matches each individual, then generates an original illustration featuring the visitor alongside that vehicle, which can be downloaded to a smartphone via a QR code. "D-AI-hatsu Vision" aims to develop human resources capable of building and implementing AI-based inspection systems in manufacturing workplaces even without specialized expertise, using an in-house no-code tool that supports processes from data preprocessing to implementation on production equipment. With guidance from Daihatsu's DX promotion organization, manufacturing teams can develop their own AI models and use them to improve quality assurance and reduce workload in their own processes.

"GOISSHO" is a service developed by Daihatsu that promotes shared transportation among welfare and nursing care facilities within a community. Starting with a shared transportation service, it aims to help alleviate workforce shortages in the welfare and nursing care sector while securing transportation options for people with mobility challenges. By making more efficient use of vehicles and drivers within a community, the service reduces transportation burdens on welfare and nursing care facilities and contributes to the development of sustainable local transportation systems.