Asimo – How A Dream Can Become Reality
Petaling Jaya, 14 November 2008 – What started as a dream 22 years ago has become a reality, with ASIMO, the humanoid robot, as it evolves. ASIMO, which is short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, is the result of a group of engineers at Honda R & D who share the same dream of creating an intelligent, multi-functional machine; today, it has evolved into a mission to create a possible partner for people in the future. Although in the 22 years, some of the original group may have retired, the dream of eventually achieving this dream goal lives on in the Honda R & D as new engineers come on board.
After researching various forms of animal movement, it was decided that a humanoid form would be the ideal base to build such a robot. In 1986, extensive studies were made on examining the principles of two-legged locomotion in order to design a robot that would be as versatile as a human when it came to moving about. It would take the next five years for the engineers to come up with E0, which was essentially a rectangular box with two legs. It took about five seconds for this machine to take the first step, but eventually, the team mastered the technique of building a unit that could walk rapidly. The next two years was spent refining the basic functions of two-legged walking, which also includes keeping the robot balanced when there are sudden drops or steps on the walking surface. Eventually, ASIMO could go up or down stairs. Between 1993 and 1997, extensive research was done to make a completely independent humanoid robot, which meant that it had to move under its own power, perform tasks independently, and possibly recharge itself when necessary.
The final result was ASIMO, born on October 31st, 2000, 1.3 metres tall, and only 54 kg in weight, as it is believed that this size and weight would be the ideal for a humanoid robot to achieve its final role as an assistant to humans. ASIMO carries a 51.8 volt lithium ion battery in a backpack, which currently allows for a one hour operation after a 4 hour charge. The battery can be charged while still on ASIMO, or externally, which means it is possible to keep ASIMO mobile continuously if the battery pack is replaced.
With the latest technological advancement called i-Walk, ASIMO is capable of Intelligent Real Time Flexible Walking. Amazingly, the new ASIMO, with his newly-found increased mobility, has greater stability in response to sudden movement. Besides walking forward, backwards, going up and down stairs and maneuvering smoothly around obstacles, ASIMO can achieve a running speed of 6 km/h, which is double his previous capability. He can run and spin on the spot, as well as run in a circular pattern.
To keep weight to a minimum, ASIMO’s body is made of magnesium alloy covered with a plastic resin for durability. Four ultrasonic sensors are located below ASIMO’s backpack; these sensors detect stationary and moving objects within a 3 metre range around ASIMO’s sides and back. ASIMO ‘hears’ with microphones located in his head, allowing ASIMO to receive voice commands and help in determining the direction of the sounds. Two cameras located in the head which looks like a space-age helmet with a large blacked out visor serve as ASIMO’s ‘eyes’. ASIMO can ‘see’ stationary and moving objects, and can judge distances to objects using both cameras for stereoscopic vision, the same way that humans judge distances.
Specially developed joints in the head allow ASIMO to freely tilt his head and move it form side to side, in response to images received through his camera eyes and sounds received through the microphones in his head. His torso can rotate from side to side, allowing for flexibility and a human-like range of motion. Torso rotation is necessary for running and maintaining balance, just like in human beings.
ASIMO is now able to recognise people’s faces with a newly introduced Integrated Circuit Card that allows ASIMO to interact effectively with anyone who is holding the card, including identifying that person’s relevant information. This implies that there are possibilities for ASIMO in a receptionist’s role to interactively meet and greet people.
ASIMO’s hands have opposable thumbs, which allow him to grasp odd-shaped objects. ASIMO can carry 300g in each hand, and up to 1 kg using both hands.
The latest version of ASIMO can dance, run at 6km/hr, kick a ball, and serve drinks.
ASIMO right now is at the Oval in One Utama Shopping complex in Petaling Jaya, and will be there until the 16th of November 2008. From 20th to 23rd November, fans will be able to meet him at the City Square Shopping Centre in Johor Bahru. From the 27th to 30th November, ASIMO will be at Queensbay Mall in Penang.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Malaysia, Mr. Atsushi Fujimoto said, “Everyone in Honda lives and breathes the tagline ‘The Power of Dreams’ Twenty two years ago, ASIMO’s creators had a dream of a humanoid robot assisting in human society. Today, after 22 years of research and development, that dream has become a reality through ASIMO, which symbolises Honda’s technological advancement. I hope via ASIMO, we will be able to share with Malaysians our Challenging Spirit that drives us all these years. We will continuously challenge ourselves to improve lives through mobility innovations and technological advancement. ASIMO is that dream. ASIMO is that challenging spirit in reality.
ASIMO is an experience that cannot be missed. See you there!
