ASIMO Visits The Big Apple

Honda's Humanoid Robot Sees the Sights in New York City
Dec 1, 2014 12:30 PM ET

NEW YORK CITY, December 1, 2014 /3BL Media/ - Ever wonder what ASIMO, the world’s most advanced humanoid robot, would do with a day off in one of the world’s biggest cities?

ASIMO, Honda’s humanoid robot, goes on a tour of New York City in a new video that is available via Honda’s YouTube channel as well as on Honda and ASIMO social media platforms.

Earlier this year, the newest version of ASIMO completed a successful North American debut in New York with three major appearances; first entertaining more than three million viewers on “LIVE with Kelly and Michael,” then impressing some of the country’s top tech and robotics media at an invitation-only demonstration event and then wrapping up its visit by stealing the spotlight at the New York International Auto Show.

But as documented in a unique new video, before all of that, ASIMO spends some time getting to know the city. 

An early-morning visit to Times Square starts the day as ASIMO greets the day’s early risers at one of the world’s most famous crossroads. At lunch, ASIMO heads towards Flatbush to spend time at the scenic Brooklyn Bridge Park. ASIMO makes some new friends at the plaza overlooking the East River and poses for paparazzi with the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in the background before travelling back to Manhattan for a stop in the Flatiron District.

ASIMO then joins a surprised crowd in Madison Square Park in the shadow of the historic Flatiron Building. Taking advantage of the great Empire State weather, ASIMO dances for the crowd and introduces itself to hundreds of youngsters.

The video can be viewed in its entirety via this YouTube link. The newest version of ASIMO is now appearing in regular performances at Innoventions in Disneyland Park.

 

About ASIMO
Honda introduced the first version of ASIMO, the world’s most advanced, bi-pedal humanoid robot, in 2000, after 14 years of research on humanoid robotics. Honda created ASIMO to help people and society, to create a helpmate for humans requiring assistance with their daily lives.

The small, lightweight robot is designed to operate fluidly in a human environment, and is capable of walking, running, climbing and descending stairs, avoiding objects, and recognizing human faces, among other skills.

The new version of ASIMO is 4’3’’ tall (130 cm), weighs 110 lbs (50 kg), and is made of magnesium alloy, plastic resin and other materials. ASIMO runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery, with an approximate operating time of 40 minutes before recharging.

Previous versions of ASIMO have entertained people around the United States, while showcasing its innovative technology, including ringing the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange, conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, walking the red carpet at a Hollywood movie premiere, and in regular appearances at Disneyland.

 

About Honda in North America
Honda now employs more than 39,000 associates in its North American sales, R&D and manufacturing operations with the capacity to produce upwards of 4 million Honda products each year, including two Powersports plants producing upwards of 650,000 motorcycles, ATVs and side-by-sides each year. In 2013, 94 percent of the Honda and Acura automobiles sold in the U.S. were produced in North America. Those plants manufacture 11 different models, including four passenger cars and seven light trucks. 

Honda also operates major research and development centers in the U.S. that fully design, develop and engineer many of the products Honda produces in North America