ABOUT THE WORK

In 2019, our client challenged us to think up an idea more powerful than a charity donation. Our answer, Project Courage, is a national initiative aimed at reducing stress and anxiety for children in the hospital. For Project Courage, we created the Honda Shogo, a small electric vehicle made just for kids in hospitals that allows them to drive themselves down the hallways to their treatments, turning what could be a stressful journey into a fun ride. To bring the Honda Shogo to life required a collaboration between a team of engineers at American Honda Motor Company and a team of medical professionals at Children’s Health of Orange County (CHOC). Each feature of the Shogo was built around the specific needs of hospitalized children—including patients with mobility challenges and patients who require continuous support from a ventilator or IV drip. There is a push bar that allows staff to push patients unable to drive themselves. There’s even a working horn with encouraging sounds and a customizable license plate. Medical professionals at CHOC have seen dramatic results from the use of the Honda Shogo. Dr. Peter Yu says, “You can really see the impact that the Honda Shogo has made in a patient when you speak to them after a ride. They have more energy and excitement. It is a great tool to help engage patients and get them back to full health.” This is only the beginning for Project Courage. More vehicles are being rolled out across the country this year as Honda remains committed to improving the lives of young patients. In this film, we see the dramatic impact that driving the Honda Shogo has on hospitalized children. The smiles and laughter it brings them not only impacts their lives and their families, but also helps them on their road to recovery.