ASIMO and Research Celebrated in Brussels

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."

Comments

awesom-o

[TedCheshireAcad]

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

Re:awesom-o

[pocketfullofshells]

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

ASIMO and an X-Ray Laser?

[The Jabberwock]

I, for one, welcome our new robotic overlord.

Re:ASIMO and an X-Ray Laser?

[Anonymous Coward]

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

X-ray laser demonstration?

[still cynical]

"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'?"

Re:Can you actually buy one?

[sabernet]

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

ASIMO costs?

[SuperBanana]

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).

Any technical info on how Asimo runs?

[Animats]

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.

Re:Can you actually buy one?

[isecore]

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".

Re:Can you actually buy one?

[zerbot]

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

But not a good dancer... yet

[mcrbids]

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?