Asimo is the most advanced humanoid in the world. Its
name is an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. It was
designed and developed by Honda with an aim to help and live in
harmony with people. It was created as a partner
for people, a new kind of robot that functions in society.
The first model of Asimo appeared in October
2000. The latest edition of the android was designed in 2014. It is 130 cm
tall and its mass is 50 kg. Asimo reminds a short man in a white space
suit with a backpack-battery behind. Because its "face" is covered
with dark glass it makes the robot look like a cosmonaut helmet. Many boards,
tools, chips inside it get hot and the robot emits almost human warmth.
Asimo can gently shake your hand. When you wave or
point at something the robot will turn his head to follow that direction. Also
when you call its name it will look at you. It can dance and walk down the
steps. Asimo has the ability to recognize moving objects, postures,
surrounding environment and sounds. It can recognize approximately 10 different
faces and address them by name.
This Japanese human-like robot can open doors, use a
light switch, carry things and push the cart in a supermarket or tea-trolley
with a dinner at home. Asimo can bring a tray, for example, with drinks or
carefully pour in a cup of tea.
I
assume that in near future these white cute humanoids may serve people as
waiters in restaurants and cafes, decks of ships, and trains carriages. They
can also wash the floors and distribute drugs in hospitals.
By the
way, the manufacturing of one such a robot costs a little less than a million
dollars. But Honda doesn’t sell Asimos. One can only rent it for $14000 in a
month.