Asimo is the most advanced humanoid in the world. Its name is an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. It was designed and developed by Honda with an aim to help and live in harmony with people. It was created as a partner for people, a new kind of robot that functions in society.
The first model of Asimo appeared in October 2000. The latest edition of the android was designed in 2014. It is 130 cm tall and its mass is 50 kg. Asimo reminds a short man in a white space suit with a backpack-battery behind. Because its "face" is covered with dark glass it makes the robot look like a cosmonaut helmet. Many boards, tools, chips inside it get hot and the robot emits almost human warmth.
Asimo can gently shake your hand. When you wave or point at something the robot will turn his head to follow that direction. Also when you call its name it will look at you. It can dance and walk down the steps. Asimo has the ability to recognize moving objects, postures, surrounding environment and sounds. It can recognize approximately 10 different faces and address them by name.
This Japanese human-like robot can open doors, use a light switch, carry things and push the cart in a supermarket or tea-trolley with a dinner at home. Asimo can bring a tray, for example, with drinks or carefully pour in a cup of tea.
I assume that in near future these white cute humanoids may serve people as waiters in restaurants and cafes, decks of ships, and trains carriages. They can also wash the floors and distribute drugs in hospitals.
By the way, the manufacturing of one such a robot costs a little less than a million dollars. But Honda doesn’t sell Asimos. One can only rent it for $14000 in a month.
