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What does “Asimo” mean?
“ASIMO” stands for “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility”, reflecting the innovative and original nature of the Asimo robot, and the fact that it represents a big step – or, if you prefer, a giant leap – in robot technology. Many people have suggested that the name is also a nod to science fiction legend Isaac Asimov, who coined the term “robotics” in a series of landmark stories and novels about robots which also introduced the world to the concept of Asimov’s “Three Laws of Robotics” – rules guiding robot behavior, hardwired into their construction, that prevented them from doing harm to humans under any circumstances. However, there is nothing in any official literature from Honda to confirm this.
What does it do?
ASIMO is a 4-foot tall, lightweight, two-legged robot that is designed to be helpful to humans. It can perform many of the tasks that we currently carry out ourselves, and can interact with human beings, making it the most advanced robot in the world. It can walk smoothly, run at over 4 miles per hour, climb stairs, recognize voices and faces, carry and hand over to a human user objects such as trays, or push a cart. It can be used as a receptionist or information guide, and is designed to be a helper to people, particularly those who are confined to a bed or wheelchair.
Why was it made?
ASIMO’s main function is as a helper to people, carrying out basic tasks such as fetching and carrying trays and objects, or as a guide or receptionist in an office or tourist building. It can perform many of the basic tasks that human beings can, and interacts with people using cameras that can recognize individual human faces, as well as through the use of an IC communication card worn or held by the human user. In addition, ASIMO is, essentially, an experimental robot – a glimpse into a future where robots carry out basic or menial tasks, thus serving as laborsaving devices for their users.
How was it created?
ASIMO is the latest in a long line of humanoid robots built by Honda, a line of development that started in 1986. The first self-regulating, two-legged humanoid robot was completed in December 1996, and the original ASIMO was completed in October of 2000. Early models focused on the legs and the ability of the robot to walk steadily, while newer versions of the robot have been rolled out over the succeeding years with continuous improvements in mobility and other functions. The most recent model, new ASIMO version 2.0, was debuted in late 2005. Successive models have become smaller as technology has improved, and the current new ASIMO has deliberately been built to stand just over four feet in height.
The most up-to-date ASIMO model is lightweight and compact and utilizes advanced walking technology to negotiate obstacles, turn smoothly while moving, and has much more movement in its neck and arms than previous units. It is powered by a 40-volt nickel metal hydride battery.
For more information on ASIMO, visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASIMO
Can you buy them?
ASIMO robots are not currently available to buy, but some units can be hired out at and ASIMO price of around $150,000 per month. ASIMO units are currently used as tour guides in museums, as a receptionist at high-tech companies in Japan, and have been used to make educational videos which are available to schools and educators. It is anticipated that ASIMO units will be much more widely available in the future, though the terms on which they will be available to individual users are still to be decided. Eventually, the plan is for ASIMO humanoid robot to help people perform household tasks as a laborsaving device, or for people who are not able to get around the home due to illness or mobility issues.
How much did it cost to make?
Each ASIMO unit costs a little under $1 million to manufacture. It is not known, however, exactly how much has been spent by Honda on its humanoid robot program over the 20 years since it was started back in 1986.
How does it influence future robots?
The details of Honda’s plans for the future of the ASIMO Honda robot remain confidential, as they continue to work to improve the ASIMO Honda design and install new technologies in development models. However, Honda have stated that the robots will not be used for military applications, and their projected use is as “helpers to humans”. They may also be used in the future to tackle hazardous situations, such as firefighting or cleaning up toxic spills, working in nuclear power stations and the like.
To learn more about the ASIMO Honda Robot, visit Honda.com at:
http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/
The technology that is being pioneered in the ASIMO world will be progressively refined and improved, until robots are capable of carrying out the same tasks as a human, making them indispensable helpers in the home or in industrial applications.
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