ASIMO is a bipedal humanoid robot Honda has been developing, intending to create robots that will coexist with and be helpful to people since its first introduction in 2000. In 2011, the latest version was introduced with the world's first autonomous behavior control technology. These humanoid robots utilize a number of ball screw linear actuators and lead screws to automate the different human-like motion.
The latest version of ASIMO becomes more autonomous and capable of continuous behavior without human operation. With a significantly enhanced situation adaptive capacity both intelligently and physically, ASIMO moves one step closer to practical use in crowded public spaces and office environments.
Advancements of Intelligence Capabilities
Honda has developed a new system that is a fundamental technology for advanced intelligence, which comprehensively evaluates inputs from multiple sensors equivalent to the visual, auditory, and tactile senses of a human being. Then estimate the situation of the surrounding environment and determine the corresponding behavior of the robot.
ASIMO became capable of responding to the movement of people and the surrounding situations. For instance, ASIMO will stop its current action and change its behavior to accommodate the other party's intention.
Coordination between visual and auditory sensors enables ASIMO to simultaneously recognize a face and voice, enabling ASIMO to acknowledge the voices of multiple people speaking simultaneously, which is difficult even for a human being to accomplish.
ASIMO can predict the direction a person will walk within the next few seconds based on information from pre-set space sensors and is quickly determined to take an alternate path to avoid a collision with the person if the estimated locations of the person and the ASIMO intersect.
Advancements of Physical Capabilities
The combination of strengthened legs, an expanded range of leg movement, and a newly developed control technology enables ASIMO to change landing positions in the middle of a motion.
ASIMO can walk, run, run backward, and hop on one leg or two legs continuously. As a result of acquiring the ability to make such agile motions, ASIMO has become capable of more flexibly adapting to changing external situations to walk over an uneven surface while maintaining a stable posture.
Improved Task Performing Capabilities
Honda has developed a highly functional compact multi-fingered hand, which has a tactile sensor and a force sensor embedded on the palm and in each finger, respectively, and which acts to control each finger independently.
Combined with the object recognition technology based on visual and tactile senses, this multi-fingered hand enables the new ASIMO to perform dexterity tasks. Examples include picking up a glass bottle, twisting off the cap, or holding a soft paper cup to pour a liquid without squishing it.
ASIMO is capable of making sign language expressions that require the complex movement of fingers.
Color Variations
The accent color for the all-new ASIMO is available in variations and grey-blue, green, and yellow.