Asimo stars in Living With Robots, promises not to forget the 'little people' (video)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted January 22nd 2010 2:06PM
posted January 22nd 2010 2:06PM
When we saw Asimo do his Fred Astaire act a while back we knew he had star quality -- and now it looks like the feisty robot is finally getting his big break. Living With Robots, which just premiered at Sundance Film Festival, was directed by Joe Berlinger (who directed Metallica's Some Kind of Monster) and tells the story of a humanoid robot that gets stranded at home while his family flies overseas for Christmas. Instead of calling the police, he stays home -- alone -- and bravely fights off Joe Pesci and some other guy whose name we can't remember. [Editor's note: This is patently untrue. Actually, the film promises to investigate "humankind's keen interest in robots and how robots can challenge the impossible by saving lives while also holding the promise to become more integrated and helpful in daily life." So there.] Interested? We bet you are! Check out the PR, and the eight minute commercial short film, after the break.
Honda Premieres "Living with Robots" Short-Film Documentary at Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival 2010
TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series, today Honda debuted its sixth short-film documentary, "Living with Robots," at the Sundance Film Festival and at http://dreams.honda.com.
"The Sundance Film Festival is the ideal place to explore new and diverse ideas at the intersection of art, technology and mobility," said Barbara Ponce, manager of corporate advertising for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda's new film takes a fresh look at mobility through stories on one of Honda's most challenging dream projects – ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot."
Directed by Joe Berlinger with producers @radical.media, "Living with Robots" investigates humankind's keen interest in robots and how robots can challenge the impossible by saving lives while also holding the promise to become more integrated and helpful in daily life. The film highlights Honda's ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), the world's most advanced humanoid robot, and the company's commitment to researching and developing bipedal mobility and how the research improves technologies across the company. "Star Trek" and "Transformers" screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, academics, philosophers and several Honda associates and engineers are featured in the film.
"Our new film, 'Living with Robots,' features some of the most interesting subject matter we've ever covered in the 'DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE' Documentary Series. Acclaimed director Joe Berlinger really brought to life the fascinating story of the role of robotics in society. Many people are aware that Honda is researching robotics with the ASIMO project, but this film gives us a thoughtful and artistic glimpse of ASIMO and the future of robots that we've never seen before," said Curt Johnson, creative director at RPA.
"Living with Robots" will be screened as part of special appearances by ASIMO for three days only at the Festival's Village at the Yard. These demonstrations will highlight the advanced technology behind ASIMO and how a robot like ASIMO will someday help people. Screenings and demonstrations begin on Fri., Jan. 22 and continue through Sun., Jan. 24.
Within the Festival hub off Main Street at the Honda display tent, attendees can experience the Honda brand and Honda's advanced products, by viewing "Living with Robots" and getting a sneak-peek at the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, while also checking out the zero-emissions hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle.
To generate momentum and interest beyond the Sundance Film Festival, "Living with Robots" will be supported on cable and online. "Living with Robots" will be promoted throughout http://www.sundancechannel.com, and 15-second trailers will run on the Sundance Channel video-on-demand. The 90-second "Living with Robots" trailer will appear nationally in-theater in January.
A sponsorship of TNT's limited-commercial-interruption movies includes custom-produced tune-ins co-promoting upcoming TNT movies and "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" films and placements of 90-second and 2-minute trailers of the films.
Honda will continue to showcase all of its documentary series trailers during ESPN's "30 for 30" film series (http://30for30.espn.com), a weekly documentary series to celebrate ESPN's 30th anniversary and features 30 films from some of today's finest storytellers.
Syndicated online media will drive traffic to http://dreams.honda.com and will aid in creating buzz among consumers. "Living with Robots" units will run on relevant Web sites that appeal to the target, including technology, news and entertainment. The 90-second trailer will run on ABC.com and Hulu full episode players.
Launched in January 2009, the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series is intended to speak to both the hearts and minds of consumers by revealing stories of Honda's corporate philosophy at work through an intimate multimedia, interactive Web site. The campaign strategy was developed by RPA, Honda's longstanding agency of record.
The campaign targets 25- to 49-year-old adults with a youthful spirit, who are comfortable with technology, who value authenticity, and who are drawn to brands they can relate to, connect with, or admire.
Sundance Film Festival 2010
TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series, today Honda debuted its sixth short-film documentary, "Living with Robots," at the Sundance Film Festival and at http://dreams.honda.com.
"The Sundance Film Festival is the ideal place to explore new and diverse ideas at the intersection of art, technology and mobility," said Barbara Ponce, manager of corporate advertising for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda's new film takes a fresh look at mobility through stories on one of Honda's most challenging dream projects – ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot."
Directed by Joe Berlinger with producers @radical.media, "Living with Robots" investigates humankind's keen interest in robots and how robots can challenge the impossible by saving lives while also holding the promise to become more integrated and helpful in daily life. The film highlights Honda's ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), the world's most advanced humanoid robot, and the company's commitment to researching and developing bipedal mobility and how the research improves technologies across the company. "Star Trek" and "Transformers" screenwriters Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, academics, philosophers and several Honda associates and engineers are featured in the film.
"Our new film, 'Living with Robots,' features some of the most interesting subject matter we've ever covered in the 'DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE' Documentary Series. Acclaimed director Joe Berlinger really brought to life the fascinating story of the role of robotics in society. Many people are aware that Honda is researching robotics with the ASIMO project, but this film gives us a thoughtful and artistic glimpse of ASIMO and the future of robots that we've never seen before," said Curt Johnson, creative director at RPA.
"Living with Robots" will be screened as part of special appearances by ASIMO for three days only at the Festival's Village at the Yard. These demonstrations will highlight the advanced technology behind ASIMO and how a robot like ASIMO will someday help people. Screenings and demonstrations begin on Fri., Jan. 22 and continue through Sun., Jan. 24.
Within the Festival hub off Main Street at the Honda display tent, attendees can experience the Honda brand and Honda's advanced products, by viewing "Living with Robots" and getting a sneak-peek at the all-new 2011 Honda CR-Z sport hybrid coupe, while also checking out the zero-emissions hydrogen-powered Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle.
To generate momentum and interest beyond the Sundance Film Festival, "Living with Robots" will be supported on cable and online. "Living with Robots" will be promoted throughout http://www.sundancechannel.com, and 15-second trailers will run on the Sundance Channel video-on-demand. The 90-second "Living with Robots" trailer will appear nationally in-theater in January.
A sponsorship of TNT's limited-commercial-interruption movies includes custom-produced tune-ins co-promoting upcoming TNT movies and "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" films and placements of 90-second and 2-minute trailers of the films.
Honda will continue to showcase all of its documentary series trailers during ESPN's "30 for 30" film series (http://30for30.espn.com), a weekly documentary series to celebrate ESPN's 30th anniversary and features 30 films from some of today's finest storytellers.
Syndicated online media will drive traffic to http://dreams.honda.com and will aid in creating buzz among consumers. "Living with Robots" units will run on relevant Web sites that appeal to the target, including technology, news and entertainment. The 90-second trailer will run on ABC.com and Hulu full episode players.
Launched in January 2009, the "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE" Documentary Series is intended to speak to both the hearts and minds of consumers by revealing stories of Honda's corporate philosophy at work through an intimate multimedia, interactive Web site. The campaign strategy was developed by RPA, Honda's longstanding agency of record.
The campaign targets 25- to 49-year-old adults with a youthful spirit, who are comfortable with technology, who value authenticity, and who are drawn to brands they can relate to, connect with, or admire.
Good stuff.
7:52 The hands that will choke the life out of you, while you sleep.
@One Love WOAH I JUST REALIZE ASIMO BACKWARDS IS OMIZA LOL
Cool documentary. Now when are they gonna make one that looks like a cute girl so I don't have to deal with nagging girlfriends anymore
@Luffy
hopefully they'll come with better warranties and a giant red Mute button that my gf didnt come with
@Luffy lol you dont have a girlfriend
the brain is the most powerful computer currently available. I wished the green peace hippies would let scientists experiment with rat brains and the like controlling robots.
@Ducman69 oops, this wasn't meant to be a reply regarding making love to robots... although, with a eager to please canine brain in a femmebot body would be pretty nice, especially considering this jar of peanut butter I have. (",)
When do the KIRFs start rolling out? I want one.
@chicagowiseguy
The KIRF version is the one that will kill you. Better to spend the extra money for the Real one. =P
I hate how they say that movies like terminator don't have a shred of truth, I agree with them that for at least 100yrs or so we won't have to worry about a robot Apocalypse, but it is more than a rational fear and possibility.
@dcoke
You should check out the AI made by some kids at a university that gave it an IQ of an 8 yr old, It literally learns by just watching.
and the AI made in Japan that has emotions
they think its smart and creative, wait till it learns what Anger or Jealousy is lol
@Kyu what is this AI you're talking about? i'm quite familiar with AI development and so far there is not a single system that resembles real intelligence. do you have the name of the university that's created this AI system?
Remember when Asimo fell backwards down some stairs and curled up like a swatted house fly? That was the day I sold my tinned food, guns filled in the underground bunker and realised robots ain't gonna take over this perty world. :)
It is indeed only a matter of time before A.I. development creates something that resembles self awareness....my bet has always been it will come from game development and somewhat by accident.
Think of it, your developing a new FPS and your AI controlled enemy units keep doing things they weren't designed to do....programming tells them to cover when fired upon, but they insist on fleeing or trying to glitch there way into a hiding spot not accessible by normal means. This to me would signify self preservation in a sense.
Awesome!
I think they are doing a wonderful job at doing in real life what Asimov has been doing in his robot novel : making robot loveable. What a cute little guy.
Seems perfectly marketable, too... Wait, are they not doing solely it for the sake of science or humanity ?
@nodens
Well they did say "business." They even mentioned the ABS on their vehicles, most notably the ABS systems on their newest motorcycles (CBR 600RR and CBR 1000RR) were based off the research in robotics.
So it is sorta for the sake of business and science as they benefit as we other people do as well.
With some inductive floor carpet chargers and LiFePO4 batteries, perhaps the Asimo could get a useful amount of power for actually doing something useful. Better still, where is the FCHV (fuel cell powered) verson of the Asimo, that takes a leak to drain his water. A 3kw fuel cell stack would easily fit in his backpack. Come on Honda, get with it. Good work so far, but as with all mobil power systems, this things battery is its weakest link; team up with A123 or someone else to get some solid power in this (An Droid), and turn up the music!
Just have a look at that Sony Robot was much better and smaller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGtxPmcsXfg
He said homo. :)
Good stuff though
@tpbftw We'd never know when they'd strike if they look just like us.
:CREEPY:
Why does one of the women in the video pronounce 'Asimo' 'Awesome-O'? It's not South Park!