TOKYO, Japan, December
13, 2005– Honda Motor Co., Ltd. debuted a new ASIMO humanoid
robot which features the ability to pursue key tasks in a real-life
environment such as an office and an advanced level of physical
capabilities. Compared to the previous model, the new ASIMO
achieves the enhanced ability to act in sync with people –
for example, walking with a person while holding hands. A new
function to carry objects using a cart was also added. Further,
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. In addition,
the running capability is dramatically improved, with ASIMO now
capable of running at a speed of 6km/hour and of running in a
circular pattern.
Honda has been pursuing research and
development of a truly useful humanoid robot which possesses both
intelligence and physical capabilities at a high level. With the
advancements achieved with this new ASIMO, the initial goal of
achieving advanced physical capabilities is accomplished. Honda
will continue and even more proactively pursue R&D efforts by
shifting the focus to the area of intelligence capabilities,
which, for example, will further enable ASIMO to make
comprehensive judgments based on various situations.
| 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.
|
|
Honda will begin operating this new ASIMO
in spring 2006, at the office in Honda Wako Building. The new
ASIMO will also gradually be made available for leasing.
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.
| Key
specifications of the new ASIMO (in comparison with the
“next-generation” ASIMO that debuted December
11, 2004) : |
| |
| 1.
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
|
| 2. Normal
walking speed: |
2.7km/hour (previous
model: 2.5km/hour)
|
| 3. Speed of
running in a circular pattern: |
5km/hour (2.5m
radius)
|
| 4. Walking
speed while carrying objects: |
1.6km/hour
(based on carrying object: weighing 1kg)
|
| 5. Height: |
130cm
|
| 6. Weight: |
54kg
|
| 7. Operating
degrees of freedom: |
Total 34
degrees of freedom
|
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