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ASIMO and Research Celebrated in Brussels

Posted by Zonk on from the science! dept.

robotsrule writes "The European Comission (Europa) is holding a public event to bring the public, especially young people, closer to the museums, laboratories and academic institutions that are doing high level research in Europe. 'European Researchers' Night' will offer several fun events such as science cafes, behind-the-scenes open house evenings at several research facilities, an X-ray laser demonstration, films, dinners, and more. The star guest of the evening is Honda's ASIMO humanoid robot. The event is scheduled for September 23, 2005 and will be held in Brussels, Belgium."

18 of 66 comments (clear)

  1. awesom-o by TedCheshireAcad · · Score: 5, Funny

    AWESOM-O must dispense oil waste. Where is the nearest toilet please?

    1. Re:awesom-o by pocketfullofshells · · Score: 3, Funny

      I think this is a great oppurtunity! I just hope the robot can wipe his own ass!

    2. Re:awesom-o by deglr6328 · · Score: 2, Funny

      ooh....uhmmm....are you...you know...a......pleasure model?

      --
      - "Hear that?! The percolations are imminent! Cease your ingress!"
  2. ASIMO and an X-Ray Laser? by The+Jabberwock · · Score: 5, Funny

    I, for one, welcome our new robotic overlord.

    1. Re:ASIMO and an X-Ray Laser? by SpartanVII · · Score: 2, Funny

      "Open the pod bay door, HAL."

    2. Re:ASIMO and an X-Ray Laser? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      KLATUU...BARADA...NIKTO

      That's all you need to do to stop him...unless you are Bruce Campbell...at which point you would need to say -- KLATUU...BARADA...NGHHMMUHPH

    3. Re:ASIMO and an X-Ray Laser? by whitehatlurker · · Score: 2, Informative

      Everyone welcomes robotic overlords, but why is the European Union recognising a Japanese robot at their "European researchers night"?

      --
      .. paranoid crackpot leftover from the days of Amiga.
  3. X-ray laser demonstration? by still+cynical · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Ok, ready?"
    (click)

    "There it was, what did you think? What? Nothing?"
    "Ok, one more time, but PAY ATTENTION. This is expensive."
    (click)

    "Ok, NOW what did you think?"
    "What do you mean, 'nothing'?"

    --
    Ignorance is the root of all evil.
  4. The "Brussels" link was unnecessary. by game+kid · · Score: 2, Funny

    I mean, all of us know about the city's history, right? We know about Brussels sprouts and...uh...umm...(clicks link)

    --
    You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
  5. Re:Can you actually buy one? by sabernet · · Score: 3, Informative

    Asimo is a proof of concept humanoid robot with the ability to walk, run, walk backwards and move like a man in a really uncomfortable suite. He probably costs more then your car:P

  6. ASIMO costs? by SuperBanana · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Does anyone know how much ASIMO is estimated to have cost Honda? I know there have been several revisions and whatnot, so "just for the current one" is fair in my book.

    I have a feeling it probably pales in comparison to the billion or so spent on their F1 racing efforts (yeah, billion with a b; F1 is insane these days).

    --
    Please help metamoderate.
  7. Any technical info on how Asimo runs? by Animats · · Score: 3, Informative
    The new, "research" ASIMO can run, unlike the older units, which are strictly walkers. There's very little detailed information on how Honda controls running, although the older algorithms for walking can be found in papers and patents.

    If anyone has solid information on this, I'd be interested in obtaining it. Thanks.

    1. Re:Any technical info on how Asimo runs? by jeffmeden · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I saw a video clip of him 'running' at the ASIMO tech demo, and it was, in fact, nothing more than very rapid walking (as in, he didn't stride anything like a biological biped does when it runs). fwiw.

  8. Re:Can you actually buy one? by isecore · · Score: 3, Insightful

    He probably costs more then your car

    Provided you're only paying material costs. If you should factor in the R&D used to develop him, then it's probably more along the scale of "costs more than 200 of your cars".

    --
    I enjoy large posteriors and I cannot prevaricate.
  9. Re:Can you actually buy one? by zerbot · · Score: 3, Funny

    Darn. Guess I'd better go back to plotting world domination by vastly inflating the value of 1996 Honda Civics.

  10. But not a good dancer... yet by mcrbids · · Score: 4, Funny

    I saw the Asimo Robot on display at the San Diego Aerospace Museum when my daughter competed in the US Nationals for the Sally Ride Science Foundation "Toy Challenge" recently. It was presented by an attractive, young woman.

    There was a pause in her conversation when she asked the audience for a particular dance for Asimo, and I responded with the first one that came to mind... the robot!

    Apparently, it does the cha-cha, the salsa, and a number of others, but it doesn't do the robot...

    Whodda thought?

    --
    I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.
  11. x-ray laser? by Mahou · · Score: 2, Interesting

    shouldn't that just be 'xaser'? or is it some kind of laser powered by x-rays?

    --
    if i'm not immortal, what's the point of living?
    ...te?
  12. asimo by chunkwhite86 · · Score: 2, Funny

    ASIMO is old news. We need a newer better robot. And this time, don't make it look so gay.

    --
    I'd rather be a conservative nutjob than a liberal with no nuts and no job.