TL;DR:
• Acura unveils RSX Prototype featuring Honda's first in-house AI operating system
• Asimo OS will power Honda Zero series and enable over-the-air updates
• Production starts second half 2026 at Honda's Ohio EV Hub facility
• Vehicle offers bidirectional charging to power homes, putting Honda ahead of EV energy trends
Acura just pulled the covers off the RSX Prototype at Monterey Car Week, marking a seismic shift in how the premium brand approaches electric vehicles. This isn't just another EV—it's the first vehicle to debut Honda's proprietary Asimo operating system, the AI-powered brain that will control the company's entire next-generation fleet starting in 2026.
Acura's RSX Prototype just made its global debut at Pebble Beach, and the automotive world is taking notice. The resurrected nameplate signals Honda's most ambitious bet yet on software-defined vehicles, powered by the company's breakthrough Asimo operating system that was first teased at CES earlier this year.
The timing couldn't be more strategic. While Tesla continues to dominate EV software integration and GM struggles with its Ultium platform reliability, Honda is making its play for the premium EV market with an entirely in-house approach. The RSX will roll off the same Ohio production line as the Integra starting in the second half of 2026, according to Acura's announcement at The Quail Motorsports Gathering.
What sets this apart from Honda's current EV lineup is the platform independence. Unlike the ZDX and Prologue, which rely on GM's Ultium architecture, the RSX represents Honda's first completely proprietary electric vehicle engineered on its new global EV Platform. This is the same foundation that will underpin the Honda Zero series, starting with the Honda 0 SUV next year.
Asimo's integration goes far beyond typical infotainment systems. The AI-powered OS will control core vehicle functions and evolve through over-the-air updates, positioning Honda to compete directly with Tesla's software-first approach. Industry analysts see this as Honda's recognition that future automotive profits will increasingly come from software services rather than traditional hardware sales.