INTRODUCTION:
After more than 15 years of research and development, Honda engineers introduced the first version of ASIMO on Oct. 31, 2000, as the world's most advanced humanoid robot. Standing four feet tall, ASIMO's height was an important strategic decision. Its eyes were located at the same level as seated adult. Its size enabled it to easily operate light switches, doorknobs and work at tables and computer stations. In ASIMO's walking abilities, Honda engineers achieved another major breakthrough. Where earlier robots had to stop to make sharp turns, ASIMO had an unprecedented ability to walk and turn smoothly with Honda's intelligent, real-time, flexible walking technology. With sophisticated hip joints, ASIMO could turn as it walked, and execute intricate walking patterns, coming ever closer to human movement. In addition to climbing stairs, ASIMO could navigate a variety of surfaces and could change the length and speed of its step.
HISTORY OF ASIMO:
THE PAST
In 1986, Honda engineers set out to create a walking robot. Early models (E1, E2, E3) focused on developing legs that could simulate the walk of a human. The next series of models (E4, E5, E6) were focused on walk stabilization and stair climbing. Next, a head, body and arms were added to the robot to improve balance and add functionality. Honda’s first humanoid robot, P1 was rather rugged at 6’ 2” tall, and 386 lbs. P2 improved with a more friendly design, improved walking, stair climbing/descending, and wireless automatic movements. The P3 model was even more compact, standing 5’ 2” tall and weighing 287 lbs.
THE PRESENT
ASIMO is the culmination of two decades of humanoid robotics research by Honda engineers. ASIMO can run, walk on uneven slopes and surfaces, turn smoothly, climb stairs, and reach for and grasp objects. ASIMO can also comprehend and respond to simple voice commands. ASIMO has the ability to recognize the face of a select group of individuals. Using its camera eyes, ASIMO can map its environment and register stationary objects. ASIMO can also avoid moving obstacles as it moves through its environment.
ASIMO is the culmination of two decades of humanoid robotics research by Honda engineers. ASIMO can run, walk on uneven slopes and surfaces, turn smoothly, climb stairs, and reach for and grasp objects. ASIMO can also comprehend and respond to simple voice commands. ASIMO has the ability to recognize the face of a select group of individuals. Using its camera eyes, ASIMO can map its environment and register stationary objects. ASIMO can also avoid moving obstacles as it moves through its environment.
THE FUTURE
As development continues on ASIMO, today Honda demonstrates ASIMO around the world to encourage and inspire young students to study the sciences. And in the future, ASIMO may serve as another set of eyes, ears, hands and legs for all kinds of people in need. Someday ASIMO might help with important tasks like assisting the elderly or a person confined to a bed or a wheelchair. ASIMO might also perform certain tasks that are dangerous to humans, such as fighting fires or cleaning up toxic spills.
As development continues on ASIMO, today Honda demonstrates ASIMO around the world to encourage and inspire young students to study the sciences. And in the future, ASIMO may serve as another set of eyes, ears, hands and legs for all kinds of people in need. Someday ASIMO might help with important tasks like assisting the elderly or a person confined to a bed or a wheelchair. ASIMO might also perform certain tasks that are dangerous to humans, such as fighting fires or cleaning up toxic spills.
SPECIFICATION:
Honda engineers created ASIMO with 34 Degrees of Freedom that help it walk and perform tasks much like a human. One Degree of Freedom is the ability to move right and left or up and down. These degrees of freedom act much like human joints for optimum movement and flexibility. Lightweight materials, like a magnesium alloy structure, combined with powerful computers and 34 servo motors throughout its body help ASIMO move smoothly with ease.
FRONT | SIDE |
HEIGHT WEIGHT WALKING SPEED RUNNING SPEED WALKING CYCLE GRASPING FORCE ACTUATOR CONTROL UNIT SENSORS: FOOT SENSORS: TORSO POWER Rechargeable OPERATING TIME OPERATION | 4 ft 3in (130 cm) 119 pounds (54 kg) 1.7 mph (2.7 km/hour) 3.7 mph (6 km/hour) Cycle Adjustable, Stride Adjustable 0.5 kg/hand (5 finger hand) Servomotor+Harmonic Speed Reducer+Drive Unit Walk/Operating Control Unit, Wireless Transmission Unit 6-axis Foot Area Sensor Gyroscope & Acceleration Sensor 51.8V Lithium Ion Battery 1 hour Workstation and Portable Controller |
DEGREES OF FREEDOM (for human joints)
HEAD | Neck joint (Up/Down, Left/Right Rotation) | 3 DOF | ||
ARMS | Shoulder joints(Forward/Backward, Up/Down Rotation) Elbow joints (Forward/Backward) Wrist joints (Up/Down, Left/Right, Rotation) | 3 DOF 1 DOF 14 DOF | = | 7 DOF x 2 arms |
HANDS | 4 fingers (to grasp objects) / Thumb | 4 DOF | = | 2 DOF x 2 hands |
HIP | Rotation | 1 DOF | ||
LEGS | Crotch joint (Forward/Backward, Left/Right Rotation) Knee joints (Forward/Backward) Ankle joints (Forward/Backward, Left/Right Rotation) | 3 DOF 1 DOF 12 DOF | = | 6 DOF x 2 legs |
TOTAL | 34 DOF |
MORE OFFICIAL ASIMO SITES:
ASIMO Worldwide
Maintained by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., this is the worldwide English-language ASIMO Web site. Here you can find out about ASIMO adventures all around the world!
ASIMO Official Site
This Web site from Honda Motor Co., Ltd., is the official home of ASIMO in Japan. Even if you don’t speak Japanese, here you can view fun pictures and movies of ASIMO.
Honda Humanoid Robots
The home of ASIMO in Germany, this English-language Web site highlights some of the capabilities of ASIMO. You can even view movies.
Honda Humanoid Robots
This Japanese site highlights Honda’s humanoid robotics program.
