ASIMO - "Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility"

ASIMO (ashimo) is a humanoid robot created by Honda Motor Company. It was created at Honda's Research & development Wako Fundamental Research Center in Japan. It is the current model in a line of eleven that began in 1986. ASIMO means "Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility". In Japanese, the name is pronounced ashimo.

* It stands 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 6km/h

* As of 2007, there are 46 ASIMO units in existence. Each one costs less than $1 million to manufacture. Some units are available to be hired out for $155,000 per year.

ASIMO Commercial

Honda added the following features to enable ASIMO to interact better with humans:

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 responds 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

In utilizing networks like the internet, ASIMO can provide information and function better for various commercial applications, like reception to name a few. Its abilities fall under 2 categories :

1. Integration with user's network system
ASIMO can offer many useful functions such as greeting visitors and informing personnel of the visitor's arival by transmitting messages and pictures of the visitor's face and guide visitors to predetermined location.

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

We live in a world where technology is becoming very advanced. Everyday, the products of technology are being used in our homes, offices, restaurants, malls ... everywhere. As information technology grows, our knowledge about new inventions/discoveries must grow also. It is necessary that we keep ourselves well-informed of important facts about these things so we won't be left out in the dark. These new inventions and technology were designed to help our daily tasks and to help us in a lot of ways, so we should also do our part. Keep ourselves updated and try to apply what we know in our daily lives.

References:

httP://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanoid robot
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASIMO
http://world.honda.com/ASIMO
http://asimo.honda.com/asimotv/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFgXEkzMq7A&feature=related