The man behind Honda

Shotaro Odate, an 84-year-old senior chief engineer at Honda—known for his impressive physique, cool hairstyle, and brilliant mind—has gone viral once again.

Odate appeared in a 66-second presentation video detailing the development of "hands-on steering sensors" used in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). This technology addresses the "OFF-dropout" error, a glitch where temporary hand movements or changes in grip style could cause the system to mistakenly register that the driver was not holding the steering wheel.

Honda’s research indicates that the updated system employs real-time calibration to factor in environmental variables such as temperature, humidity, and variations in steering grip. Company documentation reveals that testing showed a 37% reduction in OFF-dropout errors.

However, for many viewers, the technology itself was not the most memorable aspect of the presentation; Odate’s spiky hairstyle—featuring bangs that draped over one eye—quickly became the talk of social media.

Odate’s look has drawn comparisons to characters from hit series like Naruto and Dragon Ball. Reports from 2025 note that he has worn this hairstyle for years. Odate explains that his hair is naturally coarse and prone to frizz, so he chose a simple, convenient styling method rather than spending a long time grooming it. The attention he has garnered has also highlighted a career path that is just as impressive as his physical appearance. Odate holds over 250 patents related to automotive safety (with many sources citing the specific figure of 253). His work spans a wide range of innovations, from steering wheel sensors and braking technologies to smart seatbelt systems. Furthermore, he played a key role in developing Honda SENSING 360+, the company's advanced driver-assistance system.

Honda’s research website lists Odate as an author of papers concerning steering wheel grip detection during ADAS operation. His research focuses on enhancing the reliability of sensors designed to monitor whether a driver's hands remain on the steering wheel.

Odate has gained significant public attention due to the stark contrast between his physique and his technical expertise. Media outlets have also highlighted his reputation for weight training; notably, one of his fitness achievements is a bench press of 170 kilograms.