Quote:
Honda debuts new ASIMO
TOKYO – Honda Motor Co has developed a new improved ASIMO humanoid robot which adds additional abilities – such as walking and holding hands with a human, running at speeds up to 6 km/h, pushing a cart and passing a serving tray – to its already impressive repertoire.
These extra abilities allow ASIMO to interact and perform tasks in a real-life human environment such as an office. The development of a “total control system” enables ASIMO to automatically perform the tasks of a receptionist or information guide and carry out delivery service.
Honda has been pursuing research and development of a truly useful humanoid robot which possesses both intelligence and physical capabilities at a high level since 1986. With the advancements achieved with this new ASIMO, the initial goal of achieving advanced physical capabilities is accomplished and Honda will shift R&D efforts towards intelligence capabilities, which will enable ASIMO to make comprehensive judgments based on various situations.
Honda will begin operating this new ASIMO in spring 2006, at Honda’s Wako office.
Various technological achievements obtained through the research and development of ASIMO, including posture control technologies, image and voice recognition technologies, and technologies to anticipate and avoid collisions, will be applied to other technological pursuits within Honda, such as automotive safety technology and other areas.
New technology
(1) New function to perform tasks of a receptionist or information guide automatically in concert with people.
ASIMO is now capable of performing tasks as a receptionist or information guide automatically in concert with the movement of people. This was achieved by providing ASIMO with the ability to recognize the surrounding environment through its visual sensors, floor surface sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and by an IC Tele-interaction Communication Card (*1), which was developed independently by Honda, and is held by the person with whom ASIMO will interact. Moreover, through the coordinated use of its eye camera in the head and the force (kinesthetic) sensor on its wrists, ASIMO can give and receive an object such as a tray in a timely manner. Further, by using the force (kinesthetic) sensor, ASIMO can hold the hand of the person and move in sync with them.
(*1) IC Tele-interaction Communication Card: By adding an optical communication function to the IC tag, the existence and position of the person or object can be identified. With this card, ASIMO can recognize the location and identity of the person regardless of where the person stands in a 360-degree range from ASIMO.
(2) New function to carry objects using a cart
ASIMO is now capable of handling a cart freely while maintaining an appropriate distance from the cart by adjusting the force of its right and left arms to push a cart using the force (kinesthetic) sensor on its wrists. Even when the movement of the cart is disturbed, ASIMO can continue maneuvering by taking flexible actions such as slowing down or changing directions.
(3) Improved running functions
Through proactive control of ASIMO’s posture while both feet are off the ground, the running speed was doubled from the previous 3km/hour to 6km/hour. In addition, running in a circular pattern at a high speed was achieved by tilting the center of gravity of ASIMO’s body inside of the circle to maintain balance with the amount of centrifugal force experienced.
Key specifications of the new ASIMO (in comparison with the “next-generation” ASIMO that debuted December 11, 2004) :
Running speed:
6km/hour (previous model: 3km/hour)
Airborne time: 0.08 second (previous model: 0.05 second)
Distance ASIMO moves forward while both feet are off the ground : 50mm
Normal walking speed:
2.7km/hour (previous model: 2.5km/hour)
Speed of running in a circular pattern:
5km/hour (2.5m radius)
Walking speed while carrying objects:
1.6km/hour
(based on carrying object: weighing 1kg)
Height:
130cm
Weight:
54kg
Operating degrees of freedom:
Total 34 degrees of freedom
and a few pics of him in action :) 