Honda Debuts New Humanoid Robot "ASIMO"
20 November 2000
New "i-WALK" technology allows robot to walk like a human
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. today announced the development of a new small,
lightweight humanoid robot named ASIMO that employs Honda's new "i-WALK"
technology to achieve an unprecedented human-like ability to walk. ASIMO$B!G(Bs
unique capabilities were demonstrated at Honda$B!G(Bs global headquarters in Tokyo
today.
"Honda has taken up a new challenge in mobility," said Hiroyuki Yoshino,
president and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "With this development of a
two-legged humanoid robot that can walk, Honda wants to create a partner for
people, a new kind of robot that functions positively in society."
Honda$B!G(Bs basic research and development in humanoid robotics began in 1986 with
the goal of developing an autonomous walking robot that can be helpful to humans
as well as of practical use in society. In 1996, Honda$B!G(Bs prototype robot P2
made its debut, followed by the more advanced P3 in 1997.
ASIMO -- which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility -- is a further
evolved version of P3 in an endearing people-friendly size that enables it to
actually perform tasks within the realm of a human living environment. Honda's
new i-WALK technology adds a sophisticated "predicted movement control" feature
to the earlier walking control technology of earlier Honda robots. As a result,
ASIMO walks more smoothly, more flexibly, and more naturally, with instant
response to sudden movements. Further, the range of movement of its arms has
been significantly increased and the robot can now be operated by a new portable
controller for improved ease of operation.
At 120cm (just under 4 feet), ASIMO is significantly smaller than Honda$B!G(Bs
earlier humanoid robots. The smaller size was chosen to allow it to operate
freely in a human living space and to make it people-friendly. Honda research
determined that a robot height ranging between 120cm and that of an average
adult is ideal for operating in a human environment. This size allows the robot
to perform basic tasks such as operating light switches and doorknobs.
ASIMO Special Features
1. Small & Lightweight
Compared to P3, ASIMO$B!G(Bs height was reduced from 160cm to 120cm (3.95 ft.) and
its weight was reduced from 130kg to 43kg (94.8 lbs.). A height of 120cm was
chosen because it was considered the optimum to operate household switches,
reach doorknobs in a human living space and for performing tasks at tables and
benches. ASIMO was made much more compact and lightweight by redesigning its
skeletal frame, reducing the frame$B!G(Bs wall thickness and specially designing the
control unit.
2. Advanced Walking Technology
Predicted Movement Control (for predicting the robot$B!G(Bs next move and shifting
the center of gravity accordingly) was combined with existing walking control
know-how to create i-WALK (intelligent real-time flexible walking) technology,
permitting smooth changes of direction. Additionally, because ASIMO walks like a
human, with instant response to sudden movements, its walking is natural and
very stable.
3. Simple Operation
To improve the operation of the robot, a flexible walking control and button
operation (for gesticulations and hand movement) can be carried out by either a
workstation or from a handy portable controller.
4. Expanded Range of Movement
By designing ASIMO$B!G(Bs shoulders 20 degrees higher than P3, elbow height was
increased to 15 degrees over horizontal, allowing a wider range of work
capability. Also, ASIMO$B!G(Bs range of vertical arm movement has been increased to
105 degrees, compared to P3$B!G(Bs 90-degree range.
5. People-Friendly Design
In addition to its compact size, ASIMO features an attractive, people-friendly
design.
ASIMO Specifications
Weight: 43kg (94.8 lbs.)
Height: 1,200mm (3.95 ft)
Depth: 440mm
Width: 450mm
Walking Speed:0 $B!>(B 1.6km/h (approx. 1 mph)
Operating Degrees of Freedom*
Head: 2 degrees of freedom
Arm: 5 x 2 = 10 degrees of freedom
Hand: 1 x 2 = 2 degrees of freedom
Leg: 6 x 2 = 12 degrees of freedom
TOTAL: 26 degrees of freedom
Actuators: Servomotor + Harmonic Decelerator + Drive ECU
Controller: Walking/Operation Control ECU, Wireless Transmission ECU
Sensors: Foot: 6-axis sensor
Torso: Gyroscope & Deceleration Sensor
Power Source: 38.4V/10AH (Ni-MH)
Operation: Work Station & Portable Controller
*Degrees of Freedom: The human joint has one degree of freedom for each range of
movement; forward/backward, up/down and rotation.