2002-06-20 06:29:33+00 by Shawn 5 comments
Forget John Deere's latest toy. I just watched a very strange commercial during prime time television. I'm not entirely sure... but it appears that Honda is claiming to have a consumer-model, bipedal, humanoid robot.
...And no, I am not going crazy. It appears to be entirely true! They're also saying the technology might be used to build exoskeletons.
[ related topics: Technology and Culture Robotics Invention and Design Work, productivity and environment Cool Technology ]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment made: 2002-06-20 07:14:04+00 by: Shawn
More info here. Including the story that ASIMO rang the opening NYSE bell on February 14th - which also casually mentions; "This month the humanoid robot also started working as a receptionist for visitors at Honda's Aoyama Headquarters."
We live in amazing times, my friends.
#Comment made: 2002-06-20 09:54:32+00 by: pharm
This robot appeared in a UK lager commercial where an enthusiastic Japanese man opens a large box to reveal it, whereupon he instructs it to clean his house and goes off to work. On returning he finds it in his bed, quaffing lager and watching the football.
Only I assumed the robot was a fake, mocked up for the ad. How wrong I was...
#Comment made: 2002-06-20 18:05:00+00 by: anser
Alas, Shawn did not scoop /. on this one...#Comment made: 2002-06-20 20:26:39+00 by: Shawn
Darn! After doing some more research, and realizing that ASIMO had been announced in late 2000, I thought maybe there was a chance I hadn't. But it was late (or early, depending on your view) and bed was calling seductively so I didn't go for confirmation.
#Comment made: 2002-06-22 18:23:56+00 by: Shawn
ASIMO is even participating in this year's RoboCup.