As I mentioned earlier, I am am not so much into technology. However, I know one technology invention that I wish I could have as a companion at home. I’m sure everyone is familiar with ASIMO, the latest robotic invention by HONDA. ASIMO stands for Advances Step in Innovative Mobility.
What is so special about ASIMO?
ASIMO is designed as a People Friendly robot which means that ASIMO is created as a partner for people to make people’s life easier. At this moment ASIMO is considered as the most advance humanoid robot in the world. It has been developed and programmed with features resembling human movement like walking, running, speaking, recognizing voices so on and so forth. The followings are features of ASIMO as stated in HONDA websites. ASIMO also can do things like turning on light switches, carry objects with its two hands and push a trolley cart. Lets us see some of the features ASIMO has.
1. People Friendly Robot Feature
With 130cm height, ASIMO is just as tall as my 8 years old son. ASIMO can be a great companion for my two boys to play soccer or maybe camping outside the house. But can ASIMO endure the “torture” to be dressed up like girls by my daughter? She surely would like to dress up ASIMO with skirts or "baju kurung " or "kebaya". Maybe she would put some make-up to make it prettier.
According to HONDA,The robot's size was chosen to allow it to operate freely in the human living space and to make it people-friendly. This size allows the robot to operate light switches and door knobs, and work at tables and work benches. Its eyes are located at the level of an adult's eyes when the adult is sitting in a chair. A height of 130cm makes it easy to communicate with. Honda feels that a robot height between 130cm and that of an adult is ideal for operating in the human living space.
ASIMO AT HOME
ASIMO IN OFFICE
2. Intelligence Technology
ASIMO has advance communication ability. It is amazing how technology has enable people to create a robot with human motor ability. One feature which can differenciate robot and human is, robot has no feelings. If the inventor of ASIMO can improvise ASIMO with ability to detect mood swing, I think it will be good to bring ASIMO to office to detect our bosses mood (to make sure the boss is in a good mood )before we apply for leave. The followings are the intelligence technology Honda developed on ASIMO.
a) Recognition of moving objects.
- ASIMO uses visual device (a camera) mounted on its head to detect movement, it can follow people’s movement, follow a person or greet a person.
- Recognition of postures and gestures
- By using the visual information captured, ASIMO interpret the positioning and movement
of hands can able to recognize postures and gestures.
b) Recognition the environment
ASIMO is able to assess the immediate environment whereby it can recognize obstacles, make evaluation to avoid from collision with the obstacle.
c) Distinguishing sound
ASIMO is able to source of sounds and able to distinguish voices from other sound.
d) Recognition of faces
ASIMO can recognize faces even the human is moving provided the faces of the people must be pre-registered for ASIMO to recall the person, greet or address the person’s name.
3. Network Integration
i. Integration with user’s network system
ii. Internet connectivity
4. Carrying object while using Tools.
ASIMO is able to handle tray, in terms of holding the tray and handing it to a person, walking while holding tray and putting the tray onto the table.
In my opinion, one of the best feature of ASIMO is recognition and avoiding obstacles. This feature is similar with the dogs for the Blind. I think that ASIMO could be the best assistance for the visually impaired people. In Japan, a friend of mine took study leave for one year to join a Dog Training School for the Blind. The dogs are trained to accompany the visually impaired people whereby instead of using the stick, the dogs will walk side by side and give signs if there is obstacle ahead. The dogs are also trained not to react to moving object such as balls or cats. However, the dogs are allowed to “behave” like a dog occasionally to avoid stress.
Maybe in future, we can have ASIMO like assistance of which can act like the dog for the blind, that can assist the blind people in every part of the world.
I would be happy if ASIMO can cook too. If ASIMO can be programmed to cook, it means that, I have to input into ASIMO cooking receipts and set instruction for ASIMO to cook the dish according to schedule. It will be great. But ASIMO also need to be programmed to taste. It’s even better if ASIMO can do the groceries too. Me? I can use the spare time reading books, watching TV or even exercising.
Read more about ASIMO from here. http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/
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