ASIMO

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ASIMO at the Expo 2005
ASIMO at the Expo 2005

ASIMO (アシモ ashimo?) is a humanoid robot created by Honda Motor Company. Standing at 130 centimeters (4 feet 3 inches) and weighing 54 kilograms (119 pounds), the robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet at speeds up to 6 km/h (3.7 mph)[1]. ASIMO was created at Honda's Research & Development Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan. It is the current model in a line of eleven that began in 1986 with E0.

Officially, the name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility". Honda's official statements[2] indicate that the robot's name is not a reference to science fiction writer and inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Isaac Asimov. In Japanese, the name is pronounced ashimo and, not coincidentally, means "legs also" (from Japanese 足も).

As of 2007, there are 46 ASIMO units in existence.[3] Each one costs less than $1 million to manufacture,[4] and some units are available to be hired out for $166,000 per year.[5]

Contents

[edit] Development history

[edit] Experimental Models

P3 model (left) compared to ASIMO
P3 model (left) compared to ASIMO

[edit] Humanoid Prototype Models

[edit] ASIMO

Main website: ASIMO Homepage

[edit] Features and technology

[edit] Specifications

Original ASIMO
Original ASIMO
original ASIMO
(2000)		 next-gen ASIMO
(2004)		 new ASIMO
(2005)
Mass 52 kg ? 54 kg
Height 120 cm 130 cm
Width 45 cm 45 cm
Depth 44 cm 37 cm
Walking speed 1.6 km/hour 2.5 km/hour 2.7 km/hour
1.6 km/hour (carrying 1 kg)
Running speed - 3 km/hour 6 km/hour (straight)
5 km/hour (circling)
Airborne time - 0.05 seconds 0.08 seconds
Battery Nickel metal hydride
38.4 V / 10 Ah / 7.7 kg
4 hours to fully charge		 Lithium ion
51.8 V / 6 kg
3 hours to fully charge
Continuous operating time 30 minutes 40 mins to 1 hour (walking)
Degrees of Freedom 26 34

sources: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Retrieved 18 February 2007.

[edit] Recognition technology

With 2000's ASIMO model Honda added many features that enable ASIMO to interact better with humans. These features fall under 5 categories:

ASIMO walking alongside a human while holding hands
ASIMO walking alongside a human while holding hands

1. Recognition of moving objects

Using the visual information captured by the camera mounted in its head, ASIMO can detect the movements of multiple objects, assessing distance and direction. Common applications of this feature would include: the ability to follow the movements of people with its camera, to follow a person, or greet a person when he or she approaches.

2. Recognition of postures and gestures

ASIMO can also interpret the positioning and movement of a hand, recognizing postures and gestures. Because of this ASIMO can react to and be directed by not only voice commands, but also to the natural movements of human beings. This enables it to, for example, recognize when a handshake is offered or when a person waves and respond accordingly. It can also recognize movement directions such as pointing.

3. Environment recognition

ASIMO can recognize the objects and terrain of its environment and act in a way that is safe for both itself and nearby humans. For example, recognizing potential hazards such as stairs, and by stopping and starting to avoid hitting humans or other moving objects.

4. Distinguishing sounds

ASIMO's ability to identify the source of sounds has been improved, and it can distinguish between voices and other sounds. It can respond to its name, face people when being spoken to, and recognize sudden, unusual sounds such as that of a falling object or a collision, and face in that direction. It is also able to respond to questions, either by a brief nod, a shake of the head or a verbal answer.

5. Facial recognition

ASIMO has the ability to recognize faces, even when ASIMO or the human being is moving. It can individually recognize approximately 10 different faces. Once they are registered it can address them by name.

[edit] Network integration

Utilizing networks such as the Internet, ASIMO can provide information and function better for various commercial applications, such as reception. Its abilities fall under 2 categories:

1. Integration with user's network system

By connecting with a user's network ASIMO can offer many useful functions such as greeting visitors and informing personnel of the visitor's arrival by transmitting messages and pictures of the visitor's face and guide visitors to a predetermined location.

2. Internet connectivity

By accessing information via the Internet, ASIMO can, for example, become a provider of news and weather updates.

source: Honda Worldwide - ASIMO Technology (2004). [6]. Retrieved Dec. 24, 2004.

[edit] Pop culture references

  • In an episode of South Park, Eric Cartman dresses up as a robot named A.W.E.S.O.M.-O 4000 in order to play tricks on the very gullible Butters.
  • In 2003, a Foster's video was released featuring a Japanese man taking delivery of a robot servant which resembles the ASIMO.
  • In 2006, a Honda advertisement shows ASIMO walking around a museum and greeting an astronaut while he later walks up a flight of stairs.
  • In an episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, a video clip of ASIMO climbing stairs is shown while Jon looks in amazement, remarking, "My god..They've mastered stairs already! In a sense they are...stairmasters!"
  • In the Discovery documentary 2057 The City, ASIMO is shown as an old-fashioned robot that helps out at the Gator family home.

[edit] See also

Electronics Portal
Robotics Portal


[edit] References

  1. ^ ASIMO specifications by Honda
  2. ^ Tony McNicol. These bots were made for walking: Honda's bold new bots are headed into your home. Japan Inc. 52 (Feb 2004): p10
  3. ^ Meet ASIMO the robot
  4. ^ Say Hello To ASIMO
  5. ^ Humanoid robot gets job as receptionist

[edit] External links

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