Robotics

HONDA HALL ROBOTICS: I find it amazing that Honda, known as a world leader in the design and manufacture of Cars and Motorcycles is also a trend setter and innovator in the field of Robotics, Asimo is world renowned as a landmark indicator of the future of humanoid robots. I have recorded some of the history of Honda's endeavours leading to the development of Asimo and some details of Asimo, both at the Honda Hall and in Los Angeles.

PRELUDE TO ASIMO:

HONDA'S E1~E6 EXPERIMENTAL ROBOTS: In 1986, Honda decided to develop a 'walking robot'. The earliest incarnations, (E0, E1, E2 and E3) were produced to resolve one of the most difficult aspects of Robot functionality, the balance and gate of a human walking. Subsequent incarnations, (E4, E5 and E6) took the project further resolving inherent stabilization, the ability to climb stairs, a head assembly and experiments with the addition of a body and arms.


1986: ROBOT 'E0'	1987: ROBOT 'E1'	1988: ROBOT 'E2'

1987: ROBOT 'E1', KNEE JOINT MOTOR ASSEMBLIES


1989: ROBOT 'E3'		1991: ROBOT 'E4'


1992: ROBOT 'E5'		1993: ROBOT 'E6'

HONDA'S P1~P4 HUMANOID ROBOTS: In 1993, Honda developed their first 'Humanoid Robot', (P1). Subsequent incarnations (P2, P3 and P4) incorporated improved walking ability, stair climbing and descending and fully autonomous, wireless movements.


1993: HUMANOID ROBOT 'P1'


1996: HUMANOID ROBOT 'P2',


1997: HUMANOID ROBOT 'P3'


2000: HUMANOID ROBOT 'P4'

ASIMO: Various forms of Asimo have been produced, they vary slightly in height and minor features. The latest versions are the culmination of over twenty years research into Robotics by Honda. Asimo can walk, run, walk on uneven slopes, climb and descend stairs, turn smoothly, grasp basic items and respond to pre-programmed voice commands.

Asimo's 'camera eyes' can be programmed to recognize the faces of individuals, map it's environment and recognize stationary objects, Asimo can also change it's course to avoid moving objects in it's environment.

ASIMO: ON DISPLAY IN THE HONDA HALL:

ASIMO: IN ACTION AT DISNEYLAND, LOS ANGELES: The functional Asimo Robot during it's routine at Disneyland, 'Tomorrowland', Los Angeles. There are subtle differences in the overall design as compared to the Honda Hall exhibit.


FINGERS AND THUMB DETAIL	CAMERAS AND SENSORS UNDER THE BREAST PLATE

ASIMO: THE FUTURE: Honda have already determined the future potential for Asimo. Current proposals include assisting the elderly or persons confined to a bed or wheelchair and industrial applications, including fire fighting and toxic environment materials handling.

I LOVE NEW TECHNOLOGY, TABLETS, LAPTOPS, DIGITAL CAMERAS, MOBILE PHONES/WIRELESS BROADBAND, GPS, ETC. ALL SO COOL AND 'PORTABLE'......