ASIMO, or Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility 2000: This video is 25 years old…

ASIMO: Honda’s Trailblazing Humanoid Robot

Gone but not forgotten.

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ASIMO, or Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility is a landmark achievement in robotics, unveiled by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. on October 31, 2000. Born from nearly two decades of research starting in 1986, ASIMO was designed to navigate human environments and assist with daily tasks.

Standing at 4 feet 3 inches and weighing 110 pounds was a sleek, astronaut-like design made it approachable and futuristic.

ASIMO’s advanced capabilities, including bipedal walking, object manipulation, and voice recognition, showcased Honda’s expertise in robotics, AI, and sensor technology, positioning it as a global symbol of innovation.

ASIMO’s standout features included its lIntelligent Real-Time Flexible Walking (i-WALK) system, enabling it to climb stairs, run at 5.6 mph, and adapt to uneven surfaces. Equipped with cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and dexterous hands, it could avoid obstacles, pour drinks, and recognize gestures, demonstrating remarkable human-robot interaction. Over the years, upgrades enhanced its autonomy, hand dexterity, and even sign language capabilities, with the final 2014 model able to jump and balance on one leg. While not fully autonomous, ASIMO’s real-time decision-making and 40-minute battery life marked significant strides in humanoid robotics.

Though ASIMO never became a commercial product, its impact was profound, inspiring STEM education and future robotic innovations. It appeared at global expos, conducted orchestras,

Retired in 2018, ASIMO’s legacy lives on, having influenced projects like Boston Dynamics’ Atlas and contributed to Honda’s mobility devices.

Honda should bring Asimo back. Some of the technology is more tangible recent today.

This video is 25 years old… https://x.com/BrianRoemmele/status/1914191489162461615