ASIMO

Lore & Background

ASIMO was developed at Honda's Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan, with development beginning in 1999. It was unveiled in October 2000, following earlier experimental lines: the Honda E series (1986–1993) and the Honda P series (1993–1997). The first model saw 20 units produced in 2002. Three updated models followed from 2004 to 2011. In July 2018, Honda stated it would cease all development and production of ASIMO robots to focus on more practical applications. The robot made its last active appearance in March 2022, as Honda announced its retirement to concentrate on remote-controlled, avatar-style robotic technology.

ASIMO stands 130 cm tall and weighs 54 kg. It is powered by a rechargeable 51.8 V lithium-ion battery with an operating time of one hour. Its three-dimensional computer processor is housed in the robot's waist area and can be controlled using a PC, wireless controller, or voice commands. The robot uses two camera 'eyes' to recognize moving objects, postures, gestures, its environment, sounds, and faces. It can interpret voice commands and gestures, respond to its name, recognize approximately 10 different faces, and provide verbal answers in different languages. ASIMO is equipped with sensors for autonomous navigation, including visual sensors, ground sensors (laser and infrared), and ultrasonic sensors.

ASIMO made numerous public appearances worldwide. It rang the bell at the New York Stock Exchange in 2002, toured the US and Canada from 2003 to 2005, and was a permanent installation at Disneyland's Innoventions attraction from 2005 to 2015. It conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2008, appeared on the British quiz show QI in 2011, and greeted Prince Charles in 2008 and US President Barack Obama in 2014. On multiple occasions, audience members filmed the robot malfunctioning and falling down stairs, with videos becoming viral online.

Reader's Guide

ASIMO's significance lies in its role as a flagship humanoid robot that advanced the state of the art in bipedal locomotion, human-robot interaction, and autonomous navigation. Developed over decades by Honda, it demonstrated practical capabilities such as recognizing faces and voices, responding to gestures, and navigating dynamic environments. Its technology directly influenced Honda's later work on walking assist devices, including the Stride Management Assist and Bodyweight Support Assist prototypes. ASIMO was inducted into the Carnegie Mellon Robot Hall of Fame in 2004. The robot also inspired cultural works, such as the 2012 film Robot & Frank. While ASIMO was retired in 2022, Honda stated it would utilize some of the technology for other projects, indicating its legacy as a research platform that informed subsequent robotic applications. Its public demonstrations worldwide helped popularize humanoid robotics and encouraged students to pursue science and engineering careers.

Did You Know?

• ASIMO stands 130 cm (4 ft 3 in) tall and weighs 54 kg (119 lb).
• It was inducted into the Carnegie Mellon Robot Hall of Fame in 2007.
• ASIMO conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a performance of 'The Impossible Dream' in 2008.
• The robot appeared as a demonstration on the British quiz show QI on 2 December 2011.