ASIMO - Honda's Humanoid Robot that revolutionized robotics

Robot Name: ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility)

Company / Institute: Honda

Location: Japan

Inception: 2000

End: 2018

Sensors: Visual Sensors (Cameras), Ultrasonic Sensors, Infrared Sensors, Gyroscope Sensors, Floor Surface Sensors

Skills: Walking, running, climbing stairs, recognizing faces, voice recognition, gesture detection, carrying objects, guided tours

Industry: Education, Healthcare, Research, Retail, Entertainment, Automation

Programming Languages: Python, C++

Commercial availability: Not available commercially, used for R&D

ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) is one of the world’s most iconic humanoid robots, developed by Honda to explore human-robot interactions. Unveiled in 2000, ASIMO was designed to replicate human movements and tasks, becoming a symbol of technological advancement. With its ability to walk on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and interacting with people through speech and gestures, ASIMO redefined the possibilities of robotics.

Beyond mobility, ASIMO’s advanced AI enables it to recognize multiple voices, respond to commands, and interact seamlessly in social settings. Though primarily used for demonstration purposes, its development laid the foundation for future humanoid robots and automation technologies in various industries.

Images credits – Vanillase, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

“The information in this blog is sourced from publicly available resources online.”

Between 2000 and 2011, Honda had come up with more advance models of ASIMO every year or two. From reduction in weight to increase in battery life as well as degrees of freedom. Each model was better then the previous one.

Year 2001 | Credits : By Liauzh – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Year : 2005 | Credits : By Hatsukari715 – Own work, Public Domain, Link

Year : 2011 | Credits : By Morio – photo taken by Morio, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

While ASIMO’s development and production were officially discontinued by Honda in 2018, the technologies developed for it continue to be used in other projects by Honda. These include advancements in robotics, AI, and mobility solutions for healthcare, disaster response, and other industries.

Technology:

ASIMO combines a complex network of sensors, actuators, and control algorithms to achieve its advanced mobility and social interaction capabilities. Its visual and auditory sensors allow it to perceive the environment and understand human gestures or speech, while its gyroscope and pressure sensors maintain balance. The robot’s lightweight magnesium alloy frame, paired with its compact yet powerful actuators, enables smooth and precise movements.

Programming Language (s):

ASIMO’s software is written in C++ for real-time processing and hardware control. Python is also utilized for integrating AI and machine learning models to enhance its decision-making and interaction capabilities. Together, these languages ensure fast, reliable, and adaptable performance across tasks.

Current use:

ASIMO is displayed in Honda showrooms and at science and technology exhibitions worldwide. It serves as an educational tool, demonstrating advanced robotics and AI to inspire researchers, students, and enthusiasts.

Specifications :