I’m still trying to decide what to be for Halloween this year, but this Asimo costume, made by a Honda engineer (they hate Asimo) just jumped to the top of my list… of things that would be too difficult to execute. I’ll probably just be a cloud again.
As I mentioned earlier, Honda is in town to demo their two walking assist devices for the first time in the US. I was given the opportunity to test both models out in midtown Manhattan this afternoon. The applications for both models are pretty obvious and Honda has been testing the Bodyweight Support Assist at their Saitama factory since November of last year.
Update: The entire presentation including the Q&A is now available to watch after the jump.
Honda’s humanoid Asimo has been around for more than four years now but it’s still highly popular in its homeland Japan. At Robo Japan 2008, an exhibition held in Yokohama last week, Honda presented the newest version of the 130cm tall, walking robot to the general public and it looks just awesome.
In the graphic novella Robota by Orson Scott Card and Doug Chiang, the robots are invented by man, then take over science, and, when they develop a love of art, decide to end humanity, Skynet style. Fortunately, our creations have yet to have anything to do with art, meaning for the time being we’re safe.
Asimo, Honda’s adorable robot that braved sniper fire in Bosnia several years ago, will conduct a special session of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra next month. The ‘bot will boss around Yo-Yo-Ma and the rest of the DSO while they perform “Impossible Dream” on May 13. The stunt is supposed to create awareness of robots in art, while at the same time encouraging local children to become more involved in music.
How ’bout those Pistons, Detroit readers? Frankly, the NBA, in the interest of making money, should cut this playoff nonsense and give us Boston v. Los Angeles. Unlike the Yankees v. Red Sox feud, Bos-LA hasn’t meant a damn thing in years.
This isn’t the first device we’ve seen that’s meant to help the elderly or crippled walk unassisted, but it’s certainly the most compact and user friendly thus far. Honda will demo the walking assist device that they’ve been working on since ‘99 this coming weekend in Osaka at the International Trade Fair on Barrier Free Equipments & Rehabilitation for the Elderly and the Disabled. Some nine years later, the device has reached the feasibility stage and attendees are welcome to try it out at the Honda booth. Damn, I wish I could go and try it out. It’s a bummer seeing old folks struggle to get around and I’m positive that my grand parents would want this. Read More
Ok, now I’m finally ready to love ASIMO. The robot can now team up with other ASIMOs and serve me drinks. Yes! Get me three, please, Honda, please! It’s Xmas, and I’ll need Egg Nog, ASIMO can bring it to me! And he doesn’t spill, and if he does, he cleans it up, and won’t feel degraded! I’m going to stop now!