ASIMO robot is first to feature advanced autonomous behaviour technology
Honda's ASIMO robot has been given a new round of upgrades, most notably an advanced autonomous behavior technology that lets it continue moving without being controlled by an operator.
The humanoid robot can now balance on an uneven surface, pour drinks, integrate information from the movements of people around it, hop on one leg and perform sign language.
"External recognition capability lets ASIMO integrate information from multiple sensors and estimate the changes that are taking place before autonomously making predictions about what will happen next," Honda said in a statement. "This advanced intelligence means ASIMO will stop its current action and change its behavior to accommodate the intention of another party."
Co-ordination between visual and auditory sensors also lets the robot simultaneously recognise face and voice, enabling it to interpret the voices of multiple people who are speaking simultaneously.
New legs, meanwhile, mean ASIMO can walk, run, run backwards, hop on one leg or on two legs continuously, thanks to stronger motors and a greater range of movement. The company claims it can even walk over uneven floors while still maintaining a stable posture.
Honda first revealed ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, in 2000. The firm believes it could find gainful employment in homes and offices in the future. "The aim," said a Honda spokesperson, "is to develop a robot that can help people in their daily lives."
