The latest incarnation of the ASIMO humanoid robot has been unveiled by Honda this week.
The latest ASIMO is equipped with what is claimed to be the world’s first autonomous behaviour-control technology, which gives the robot the freedom to move without being controlled by an operator.
In a statement, Honda said modifications to ASIMO now allow the robot to make decisions that determine its behaviour depending on the surroundings it is in.
It does this by evaluating inputs from a number of sensors and adjusting its behaviour in relation to other activity going on around it. This capability is likely to bring ASIMO closer to practical use in an office or a public space as it is designed to avoid collisions.
Moreover, coordination between visual and auditory sensors enables ASIMO to simultaneously recognise a face and voice, enabling ASIMO to recognise the voices of a number of people speaking simultaneously.
Six kilograms lighter than the previous model, the latest version is reportedly capable of adapting to different walking surfaces and can walk over an uneven surface while maintaining a stable posture.
Modifications to its hands include a tactile sensor and a force sensor embedded on the palm and in each finger, which controls each finger independently.
Combined with object-recognition technology based on visual and tactile senses, this multi-fingered hand enables ASIMO to perform tasks such as picking up a bottle and removing its cap.
It is outstanding. Especially, the way Asimo poured into the glass and the way the paper glass is held.
ASIMO – Honda technology at its best yet again
And they say white men can’t jump. Apparently white robots are even worse.
It is surprising that the fingers are clenched into a fist during the jumping demonstration. This would seem to be perceived as somewhat threatening. I can see where the programmers did that to protect the fingers in case of a fall.
All of the times that I have seen Asimo videos, I always ask myself if it is truly valuable to replicate bi-pedal motion? It seems like it is a lot of work, but for what gain? I would think that Segway technology could be applied to a robot and it would be able to go most places. Apply Dean’s wheelchair concept with the paired wheels that roll over each other and you cover most places a robot would need to go. Of course the robot would not be able to jump, but does the robot need to jump?
Eric – It depends what the robot is for, if you are after a very general robot – the equivalent of the ‘Victorian’ man servant then the answer is YES.
If you want a robot to be more efficient in what it does but with reduced flexibility then NO!
Interesting that evolution has tended to favour bi/quad//multi legged locomotion – Not many wheels in sight!
Very very worrying, it seems ‘Connor’ was right. How long before we are the lesser creation??
The idea behind Bi-pedal is that Humanoid Robots are better received than Wheeled Robots. Office Workers and Health Care Patients will be more likely to accept help from a robot that looks and performs like a human, than an impersonal robot on wheels or tracks.
It is indeed outstanding the reality of the movements of this robot, but the question remains, how long for AI on robots like this rises to a level that we humans cannot consider them no more as a machine? Should a “smart” robot be turned off if we don’t need him anymore and he understands the meaning of “tuning off”?
Wow, it’s really amazing, the way ASIMO is grabbing the container and holding the paper glass with putting very less pressure on paper glass ( without bending or damaging the shape of glass).
But the time required to perform this operation is slightly on higher side, but I know ASIMO can do it in fast way in second phase
You have to understand the Japanese people to understand why ASIMO has a humanoid form. A robotic arm sticking out of a box on wheels would not have anywhere near the worldwide appeal of ASIMO even if it had a “Short Circuit” personallity.
hi,
what would be the cost of these robots.
anyone knows.or what can be any low end minimum job performing robot cost.
This is the most amazing thing to watch the development of these humanoid robots. Japan is definitely the world technology leader, especially in robotics. Their humanoid robots are doing astonishing things and some are creepily close to looking human, too. (not Asimo, though) Of course, the technology that goes into the development of Asimo will be widely used in many, many applications.
Wouldn’t it be great for EU science and industry to start a project to build a robot that will win Wimbledon by say 2020? A project equal or greater in impact to going to Moon/Mars