Asimo Robot from Honda
Posted on: March 24, 2009
Visionary of robotics, Issac Asimov inspired the name of the Honda humanoid walking machine ASIMO, which is an acronym for “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility). The history of ASIMO began in the year 1986 in Japan where it went through successful series of prototypes called P1, P2, and P3 which were based on studies of the way people moved.
Manufactured in 1993, the human prototype P1 translated earlier studys of human locomotion and it was able to mimic sophisticated arm and leg movements. This robot could grip and carry objects with the aid of an external controller device. The first version of Asimo was very bulky and did not look humanoid.
In 1996, the Autonomous P2 was Honda’s first fully autonomous humanoid with its main components such as battery, motor drives, computers, and radio located inside its body. The body looked more humanoid and the cameras were hidden inside the head. This version was able to either operate automatically or with wireless assistance. The additional abilities that were developed for this second prototype were climbing and descending stairs, and pushing a cart.
In 2000, the Elegant P3 was built shorter and lighter than its predecessor P2 thanks to developments in the miniaturization of technology. The weight of this robot was reduced using less heavy metal and a more sophisticated distributed control system. The head of the Asimo in this version has a head that is proportional in size to the body and the body is covered with plastic models. P3 developed additional movement capabilities such as turning corners and carrying objects.
In 2003, the Independent Asimo moved autonomously without electrical or data cables. The robot was constructed of magnesium alloy and other lighter materials. More powerful computer technology and more sophisticated servo motors help the robot move more smoothly with ease. In this version, the robot have hands that are flexible and can grasp objects better. The feet contain six axis force sensors. The legs are mobile at the hips, knees, and ankles, allowing it to demonstrate a high degree of freedom in movement in these areas.
To make the robot not look threatening to people, engineers designed Asimo to be child sized so adults would be more inclined to feel protective of the robot than fear it.
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