ASIMO, an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative MObility, is a humanoid robot designed and
developed by Honda. Introduced on 21 October 2000, ASIMO was designed to be a multi-functional
mobile assistant. With aspirations of helping those who lack full mobility, ASIMO is frequently
used in demonstrations across the world to encourage the study of science and mathematics.
At 130 cm tall and 48 kg, ASIMO was designed to operate in real-world environments, with
the ability to walk or run on two feet at speeds of up to 6 kilometres per hour. In
the USA, ASIMO is part of the Innoventions attraction at Disneyland and has been featured
in a 15-minute show called "Say 'Hello' to Honda's ASIMO" since June 2005. The robot
has made public appearances around the world, including the Consumer Electronics Show, the
Miraikan Museum and Honda Collection Hall in Japan, and the Ars Electronica festival
in Austria.
Development history
Honda began developing humanoid robots in the 1980s, including several prototypes that
preceded ASIMO. It was the company's goal to create a walking robot which could not
only adapt and interact in human situations, but also improve the quality of life. The
E0 was the first bipedal model produced as part of the Honda E series, which was an early
experimental line of humanoid robots created between 1986 and 1993. This was followed by
the Honda P series of robots produced from 1993 through 1997, which included the first
self-regulating, humanoid walking robot with wireless movements.
The research conducted on the E- and P-series led to the creation of ASIMO. Development
began at Honda's Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan in 1999 and ASIMO
was unveiled in October 2000. Differing from its predecessors, ASIMO was
the first to incorporate predicted movement control, allowing for increased joint flexibility
and a smoother, more human-like walking motion. Introduced in 2000, the first version of ASIMO
was designed to function in a human environment, which would enable it to better assist people
in real-world situations. Since then, several updated models have been produced to improve
upon its original abilities of carrying out mobility assistance tasks. A new ASIMO was
introduced in 2005, with an increased running speed to 3.7 mph, which is twice as fast
as the original robot. ASIMO fell during an attempt to climb stairs at a presentation
in Tokyo in December 2006, but then a month later, ASIMO demonstrated tasks such as kicking
a football, running and walking up and down a set of steps at the Consumer Electronics
Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2007, Honda updated ASIMO's intelligence
technologies, enabling multiple ASIMO robots to work together in coordination. This version
also introduced the ability to step aside when humans approach the robot and the ability
to return to its charging unit upon sensing low battery levels.
Features and technology Form
ASIMO stands 130 cm tall and weighs 54 kg. Research conducted by Honda found that the
ideal height for a mobility assistant robot was between 120 cm and the height of an average
adult, which is conducive to operating door knobs and light switches. ASIMO is powered
by a rechargeable 51.8V lithium ion battery with an operating time of one hour. Switching
from a nickel metal hydride in 2004 increased the amount of time ASIMO can operate before
recharging. ASIMO has a three-dimensional computer processor that was created by Honda
and consists of a three stacked die, a processor, a signal converter and memory. The computer
that controls ASIMO's movement is housed in the robot's waist area and can be controlled
by a PC, wireless controller, or voice commands. Abilities
ASIMO has the ability to recognize moving objects, postures, gestures, its surrounding
environment, sounds and faces, which enables it to interact with humans. The robot can
detect the movements of multiple objects by using visual information captured by two camera
"eyes" in its head and also determine distance and direction. This feature allows ASIMO to
follow or face a person when approached. The robot interprets voice commands and human
gestures, enabling it to recognize when a handshake is offered or when a person waves
or points, and then respond accordingly. ASIMO's ability to distinguish between voices and
other sounds allows it to identify its companions. ASIMO is able to respond to its name and recognizes
sounds associated with a falling object or collision. This allows the robot to face a
person when spoken to or look towards a sound. ASIMO responds to questions by nodding or
providing a verbal answer in different language and can recognize approximately 10 different
faces and address them by name. does not have feelings.
Mobility ASIMO has a walking speed of 2.7 kilometres
per hour and a running speed of 6 kilometres per hour. Its movements are determined by
floor reaction control and target Zero Moment Point control, which enables the robot to
keep a firm stance and maintain position. ASIMO can adjust the length of its steps,
body position, speed and the direction in which it is stepping. Its arms, hands, legs,
waist and neck also have varying degrees of movement. The technology that allows the robot
to maintain its balance was later used by Honda when it began the research and development
project for its motorized unicycle, U3-X, in 2009. ASIMO has a total of 34 degrees of
freedom. The neck, shoulder, wrist and hip joints each have three degrees of freedom,
while each hand has four fingers and a thumb that have two degrees of freedom. Each ankle
has two degrees of freedom, and the waist, knees and elbows each have one degree of freedom.
Impact and technologies Honda's work with ASIMO led to further research
on Walking Assist™ devices that resulted in innovations such as the Stride Management
Assist and the Bodyweight Support Assist. In honor of ASIMO's 10th anniversary in November
2010, Honda developed an application for the iPhone and Android smartphones called "Run
with ASIMO." Users learn about the development of ASIMO by virtually walking the robot through
the steps of a race and then sharing their lap times on Twitter and Facebook.
Specifications
sources: Public appearances
Since ASIMO was introduced in 2000, the robot has traveled around the world and performed
in front of international audiences. ASIMO made its first public appearance in the U.S.
in 2002 when it rang the bell to open trade sessions for the New York Stock Exchange.
From January 2003 to March 2005, the robot toured the USA and Canada, demonstrating its
abilities for more than 130,000 people. From 2003–2004, ASIMO was part of the North American
educational tour, which visited top science and technology museums and academic institutions
throughout North America. The goal of the tour was to encourage students to study science
through a live show that highlighted ASIMO's abilities. Additionally, the robot visited
top engineering and computer science colleges and universities across the USA as part of
the ASIMO Technology Circuit Tour in an effort to encourage students to consider scientific
careers. In 2004, ASIMO was inducted into the Carnegie Mellon Robot Hall of Fame. In
March 2005, the robot walked the red carpet at the world premiere of the computer-animated
film, Robots. In June 2005, ASIMO became a feature in a show called "Say 'Hello' to Honda's
ASIMO" at Disneyland's Innoventions attraction, which is a part of the Tomorrowland area of
the park. As of 2011, this is the only permanent installation of ASIMO in North America.
The robot first visited the United Kingdom in January 2004 for public demonstrations
at the Science Museum in London. ASIMO continued on a world tour, making stops in countries
such as Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, South Africa and Australia. In October 2008,
ASIMO greeted Prince Charles during a visit to the Miraikan Museum in Tokyo, where it
performed a seven-minute step and dance routine. In a demonstration at Honda's Tokyo headquarters
in 2007, the company demonstrated new intelligence technologies that enabled multiple ASIMO robots
to work together. The demonstration showed the robot's ability to identify and avoid
oncoming people, work with another ASIMO, recognize when to recharge its battery and
perform new tasks, such as carrying a tray and pushing a cart.
In 2008, ASIMO conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a performance of "The Impossible
Dream" to bring attention to its partnership with the Orchestra and support the performing
arts in Detroit. A 49-foot replica of ASIMO made with natural materials, such as lettuce
seed, rice and carnations led the 120th Rose Parade in celebration of Honda's 50th year
of operation in the USA. Later that year, the robot made an appearance in Italy at the
Genoa Science Festival. In January 2010, Honda debuted its "Living
With Robots" documentary at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The film focuses
on the experience of human interaction with robots like ASIMO. ASIMO attended the Ars
Electronica festival in Linz, Austria in September 2010, which allowed Honda to study the results
of human and robot interaction and use the results to guide development of future versions
of the robot. In April 2011, ASIMO was demonstrated at the FIRST Championship in St. Louis, Missouri
to encourage students to pursue studies in math, science and engineering.
ASIMO visited the Ontario Science Center in Toronto in May 2011 and demonstrated its abilities
to Canadian students. The robot later traveled to Ottawa for the unveiling of an exhibit
at the Canadian Museum of Civilization 19 May through 22 May 2011.
ASIMO appeared as a guest on the British quiz show QI on 2 December 2011. After serving
water to host Stephen Fry and dancing with comedienne Jo Brand, ASIMO won with 32 points.
ASIMO was also the inspiration behind 2012's film Robot & Frank, where a robot assists
an aging man to commit his last job as a 'cat burglar'. The robot in the film, portrayed
by an actor in costume, has the appearance of an ASIMO robot.
See also
References
External links Official website – Honda
Official website – Honda Official website – Honda
"Humanoid robot learns how to run" – BBC News Online
"Humanoid robot gets job as receptionist" – New Scientist
Japan product demonstration Honda unveils helmet that lets wearer control
a robot by thought alone Honda's ASIMO celebrates 10 year of existence