"ASIMO"

“ASIMO”
As reported by Mike Kelly

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The most important step towards a fully functioning android since the invention of the Realdoll has been made by the Honda motor corp. This major step is a fully functioning human shaped robot (android) named “Asimo”.

Asimo can greet and recognize people, as well as perform advanced commands such as moving in the direction indicated by reading hand gestures.

If asked, it can even provide real-time information such as the weather by tapping into the Internet or other network sources.

Honda, considered one of the most innovative Japanese companies and a leader in developing humanoid robots for home use, said it would use the 4-foot-tall Asimo at several of its dealerships in Japan next year.

The automaker currently leases the a version of Asimo to International Business Machines Corp and six other companies as a high-tech receptionist and hospitality robot.

Honda said it would continue making improvements to enable the robot to perform more practical and involved functions.

It hopes the robot will one day become a useful household companion, although with an annual rental fee of $161,500 now, officials said that would take a while.

But there was no question over Asimo's entertainment value as Honda demonstrated its newly added functions to a roomful of reporters.

"Please don't come so close," Asimo pleaded in its high-pitched, childlike voice, backing up as a Honda assistant approached it.

The four-foot-tall machine, shown to reporters Wednesday, already knew how to walk, climb stairs and recognize voices. An upgraded version now also understands human gestures and movement.

The robot is used as a promotional tool, reciting information about cars in showrooms and appearing in commercials and at Honda events. It rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange in February.

The upgraded robot turns its bubble-shaped head to follow the moves of nearby people, giving it a communicative, ready-to-help appearance.

Asimo uses the visual information taken by a camera in its head to recognize 10 different preprogrammed faces and will call out that person's name.

"It won't follow strangers," says Honda chief engineer Yoshiaki Sakagami.

The company refuses to disclose the cost of the robot, which first went on sale two years ago.

Honda will offer the improved model for rental next year in Japan at $162,000 a year. It now rents to seven companies in Japan.

In a demonstration at Honda headquarters in Tokyo, the new robot understood where a person is pointing and moved in that direction. "I will go where you instruct," it said in a childish electronic voice.

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