ASIMO Can Now Jog

Honda continues development of robot designed to help those who lack full mobility.

Honda today was showing off the moves of its latest iteration of the ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) robot at the Consumer Electronics Show. This robot, first made public in 2002, incorporates several significant technological advancements.

ASIMO, according to Honda, can now recognize the surrounding environment through sensors as well as being able to autonomously interact with people by doing simple tasks such giving and receiving an object such as a tray. Other new technical leaps allow the ASIMO to be 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 sensors on its wrists. As if this wasn’t enough, Honda showed off the robot running at nearly 4 MPH.

Honda added they continue ASIMO’s development with the goal of one day producing a robot capable of assisting those who lack full mobility and of working in environments dangerous for humans.

"For the first time in North America, we’re demonstrating this newest iteration of Honda’s remarkable humanoid robotics technology. ASIMO now has a revolutionary ability to run and maneuver at unprecedented speeds," said Jeffrey Smith, American Honda assistant vice president. "Honda continues to further the development of humanoid robotics technology, believing that one day ASIMO will be a helper to people in need."