ASIMO

nihongo|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 (4.3 mph) [ [http://asimo.honda.com/asimo_specifications.html ASIMO specifications by Honda] ] . 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 [Tony McNicol. These bots were made for walking: Honda's bold new bots are headed into your home. Japan Inc. 52 (Feb 2004): p10] claim that the robot's name is "not" a reference to science fiction writer and inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Isaac Asimov.

As of 2007, there are 46 ASIMO units in existence. [ [http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=32172&cat_id=1 Meet ASIMO the robot] ] Each one costs less than $1 million (¥106,710,325 or €638,186 or £504,720) to manufacture, [ [http://www.forbes.com/home/2002/02/21/0221tentech.html Say Hello To ASIMO] ] and some units are available to be hired out for $166,000 (¥17,714,316 or €105,920 or £83,789) per year. [ [http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8456 Humanoid robot gets job as receptionist] ]

Development history

Experimental Models

*E0 unveiled in 1986cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/history/e0.html | title = History of the Humanoids: E0 (1986) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
*E1 unveiled in 1987cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/history/e1_e2_e3.html | title = History of the Humanoids: E1-E2-E3 (1987 - 1991) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
*E2 unveiled in 1987
*E3 unveiled in 1987
*E4 unveiled in 1991cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/history/e4_e5_e6.html | title = History of the Humanoids: E4-E5-E6 (1991 - 1993) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
*E5 unveiled in 1991
*E6 unveiled in 1991

Humanoid Prototype Models

*P1 unveiled in 1993cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/history/p1_p2_p3.html | title = History of the Humanoids: P1-P2-P3 (1993 - 1997) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
*P2 unveiled in 1996
*P3 unveiled in 1997

ASIMO

*ASIMO unveiled in 2000cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/history/asimo.html | title = History of the Humanoids: ASIMO (2000 - ) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
**ASIMO for hire unveiled in 2001cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/news/2001/c011112.html | title = Honda Introduces New ASIMO Humanoid Robot for Rental Business | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | date = 2001-11-12 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
**intelligent ASIMO unveiled in 2002cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/news/2002/c021205.html | title = Introducing a New ASIMO Featuring Intelligence Technology | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | date = 2002-12-05 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
*next-gen ASIMO unveiled in 2004cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/next-generation/index.html | title = The Next Generation: Specification of the Research Model (December, 2004) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]
*new ASIMO unveiled in 2005cite web | url = http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/new/ | title = New ASIMO: Honda Debuts New ASIMO (December, 2005) | accessdate = 2008-07-01 | publisher = Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ]

Features and technology

Specifications

"sources: [http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/next-generation/index.html] [http://world.honda.com/news/2000/c001120.html] [http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/new/] [http://world.honda.com/news/2004/c041215.html] [http://asimo.honda.com/downloads/pdf/asimo-technical-faq.pdf] Retrieved 18 February 2007."

Asimo can be operated from a workstation and also by a remote controller [http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20001122S0048] . Honda has also created a 3D CPU (consisting of three stacked dice: a processor, a signal converter and some memory) to power super Asimo [http://www.digitalworldtokyo.com/index.php/digital_tokyo/articles/honda_creates_3d_cpu_to_power_super_asimo/] . ASIMO runs the Operating System VxWorks

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:

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.

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). [http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/technology/intelligence.html] . Retrieved Dec. 24, 2004."

Pop culture references

*In the episode of "South Park" titled "AWESOM-O", 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 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.
*In a music video for Athlete's single "Tourist", the band are seen in an airport, while the video shows to the viewer the robots viewpoint while walking round the airport. The robot resembles the appearance of ASIMO.

ee also

*Actroid
*HUBO
*REEM-B
*QRIO
*Humanoid robot

References

External links

* [http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/ Official website (Worldwide)] - Honda
* [http://www.honda.co.jp/ASIMO/ Official website (Japan)] - Honda
* [http://asimo.honda.com/ Official website (United States)] - Honda
* [http://www.honda.co.uk/warmtechnology/ "Warm Technology" - a Honda technology showcase featuring ASIMO (UK)] - Honda
* [http://www.asimo.com.au/ Official Australian tour website] - Honda
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4098201.stm "Humanoid robot learns how to run"] - BBC News Online
* [http://www.newscientisttech.com/channel/tech/robots/dn8456-humanoid-robot-gets-job-as-receptionist.html "Humanoid robot gets job as receptionist"] - New Scientist
* [http://www.asimoblog.com/dnn/ Asimoblog.com Keeping you up to date on ASIMO, Robotics, and Artificial Intelligence]
* [http://www.diseno-art.com/encyclopedia/archive/ASIMO.html Information, Pictures and Video of Honda ASIMO]