Tokyo: Only last year, Honda Motor Co.'s now-familiar humanoid robot, Asimo, was learning how to run and avoid tripping over obstacles. Now, the five-year-old droid is ready to take on simple office work, greeting visitors and fetching refreshments.
Japan's third-biggest auto maker, known for its cutting-edge robot technology, introduced on Tuesday a second-generation Asimo that can push a cart weighing up to 10 kg, walking straight, sideways or backwards with it.
With more joints and flexibility of movement, Asimo can also grip and carry a tray of drinks.
Demonstrating its latest tricks through video footage, Honda showed the 130 cm-tall (4.25 feet) Asimo addressing a mock visitor by name and showing her to a conference room.
"Welcome, Sato-san," Asimo said, bowing deeply as per standard Japanese etiquette.
By pre-programming the guest's name, meeting room and other data in an integrated circuit (IC) tag to be worn by the visitor upon arrival, an office worker can send commands to Asimo, which in turn would pick them up through a built-in IC tag reader.
Behind the seemingly simple tasks are a myriad of advanced sensors and other technologies that Honda says will be applied to its core automotive business to improve safety and other features.
Asimo demonstrated his increased speed by mimicking an athlete stretching before a race, extending his arms and balancing on one leg at a time to loosen his ankles in a fluid, human-like motion.
Asimo then took his mark and, joints creaking, dashed across the stage, easing to a complete stop in just four quick steps.
Honda said it would start putting the new Asimo to use at its research and development facility in Wako, near Tokyo, from spring 2006. It will also eventually be made available for leasing.
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