Honda is going big to welcome in the new year at the Rose Bowl Parade.

Earlier this month, the Japanese automaker unveiled a float featuring a 49-foot replica of Honda's ASIMO humanoid robot for the New Year's Day parade in Pasadena, Calif.

In front of millions of viewers on Jan. 1, Honda's float will evolve from an opening ceremony stage into an animated replica of ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), standing about 12 times the height of the actual humanoid robot.

The float kicks off Honda's celebration of its 50th anniversary of U.S. operations.

The company's FCX Clarity will also become the first-ever hydrogen-powered fuel cell pace car to lead the parade.

Honda's float will be completed with natural materials like lettuce seed, rice, carnations and strawflower and accompanied by the Prairie View A&M University Marching Band.

Honda is one of the parade's longest-running corporate sponsors and its Rose Parade entries have captured major awards in 13 out of the last 14 years.