ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility is a 1.3 metre robot, which is 21 years in the making by Honda engineering teams in Japan, Thailand, Europe and US.
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According to Honda Australia Senior Director Lindsay Smalley, ASIMO is the most advanced in a series of humanoid robots created by Honda engineers since 1986 with the aim of someday helping people in need. "Honda's concept is to create a robot that can help around the house, or assist the elderly or someone confined to a wheelchair or bed," he said.
"That's why ASIMO is just 1.3 metres high so he can communicate eye-to-eye with someone seated in a chair, while still being able to operate light switches and door knobs, and work at tables and work benches. In future, ASIMO might also perform tasks that are dangerous to humans, such as fighting fires or cleaning up toxic spills."
ASIMO can walk at 2.7kph and run at 6kph, he uses eye cameras to recognize surrounding environments, register stationary objects and avoid moving obstacles as he moves around. Force (kinesthetic) sensors in his wrists allow him to push carts and give and receive objects, such as a tray of drinks, while an IC Communication card means he can interact with people relatively autonomously, the company says.
Today's ASIMO is more mobile than his predecessors with extra hip, knee and foot joints.
Smalley added that Honda can apply many of ASIMO's technological achievements to other areas such as automotive safety. "For instance, what we have learned from ASIMO about human movement has helped us design a more effective crash-test dummy and develop some of the world's safest cars for pedestrians; while the radar ASIMO uses to move around is being adapted for use in Honda cars as Night Vision, and for detecting and avoiding pedestrians while driving," he said.
To get a glimpse of how robots will be able to help you take the garbage out in the not too distant future, you can see the ASIMO robot in action at Darling Harbour, Sydney from tomorrow, followed by shows in Brisbane and Melbourne.
See www.asimo.com.au
