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Unread 14-12-2005, 12:05
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Don Wright Don Wright is offline
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Honda's robot...

Boy, if it didn't violate just about every other rule, one could imagine that you could use this as a nice FIRST robot... The size and weight are in check...

From Autotech daily:

SEE HONDA ROBOT RUN (FASTER), AND DO MORE TRICKS
Honda Motor Co. demonstrated an advanced version of its Asimo robot this week in Tokyo. In addition to possibly marketing the robot, Honda says it hopes to eventually transfer the various “smart” technologies it employs to improve automotive safety and navigation systems.

Asimo can now identify and interact with people, carry and push objects, take drink orders and move twice as fast (nearly 4 mph) as the version Honda showed a year ago. A new “total control” system manages inputs from visual, ultrasonic, force, voice recognition, collision avoidance and floor surface sensors. And the robot is designed to read specially developed integrated-circuit cards carried by people to identify them and determine their relative position. It also can walk in stride while holding hands with a person and pass objects back and forth with people. Orders are transmitted via a personal digital assistant.

When detecting an obstacle while pushing a cart, Asimo can take corrective actions such as slowing down or changing directions. The robot also has better balance, which enables it to turn in tighter circles and at faster speeds. It also can jump farther. Further development will focus on improving intelligence capabilities, such as adding complex decision-making features.

Asimo stands 51 inches tall and weighs 119 lbs. Honda plans to begin using the new unit next spring to perform receptionist functions at its offices in Japan. The company already has 40 previous-generation robots in operation, including two that are leased to outside firms for about $165,000 per year.
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AVL Instrumentation & Test Systems, Inc.
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