ASIMO

Honda ASIMO

ASIMO at the Expo 2005
Manufacturer	Honda
Year of creation	2005

ASIMO (アシモ, ashimo) is a humanoid robot created by Honda. Standing at 130 centimeters (4 feet 3 inches) and weighing 54 kilograms (114 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), matching EMIEW. 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.

The name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility". Honda states 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 February 2009, there are over 100 ASIMO units in existence. Each costs under $1 million (¥106,710,325, €638,186, £504,720) to manufacture.

Development history

Experimental Models

P3 model (left) compared to ASIMO

• E0 unveiled in 1986
• E1 unveiled in 1987
• E2 unveiled in 1987
• E3 unveiled in 1987
• E4 unveiled in 1991
• E5 unveiled in 1991
• E6 unveiled in 1991

Humanoid Prototype Models

• P1 unveiled in 1993
• P2 unveiled in 1996
• P3 unveiled in 1997

ASIMO

• ASIMO unveiled in 2000
  • ASIMO for hire unveiled in 2001
  • intelligent ASIMO unveiled in 2002
• next-gen ASIMO unveiled in 2004
• new ASIMO unveiled in 2005

Features and technology

Specifications

Original ASIMO

Model	2000	2004	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 (two in the head, five in each arm, six in each leg, one per hand)	34 (three in the head, seven in each arm, two in each hand, one in the torso, six in each leg)

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

Asimo can be operated from a workstation and also by a remote controller. Honda has also created a 3D CPU (consisting of three stacked dice: a processor, a signal converter and some memory) to power Asimo. ASIMO runs the VxWorks operating system.

Recognition technology

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

File:Asimo marche.png

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 detects 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 interprets 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 recognizes 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 responds to its name, faces people when spoken to, and recognizes sudden, unusual sounds such as that of a falling object or a collision, and faces in that direction. It can respond to questions, either by a brief nod, a shake of the head or a verbal answer.

5. Facial recognition

ASIMO can 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). [6]. Retrieved Dec. 24, 2004.

See also

• Humanoid robot
• Japanese robotics
• Actroid
• Android
• iCub
• HRP-4C
• HUBO
• REEM-B
• QRIO
• TOPIO

External links

• Official website (Worldwide) – Honda
• Official website (Japan) – Honda
• Official website (United States) – Honda
• "Humanoid robot learns how to run" – BBC News Online
• "Humanoid robot gets job as receptionist" – New Scientist
• ASIMO buckles on the stairs
• Honda unveils helmet that lets wearer control a robot by thought alone