ASIMO slims down, gains new capabilities in latest revision
By Donald Melanson 
posted March 23rd 2010 5:51PM
posted March 23rd 2010 5:51PM
We've been hearing about a few of ASIMO's new tricks as of late, and it looks like Honda's now finally showing off some of its hard work. The most noticeable change is that ASIMO (now sporting the P4 designation) has shed over one hundred pounds, and now weighs in at a slight 176 pounds -- letting it slip into a stylish new blue cover for its torso. That weight loss also comes with some added mobility, with the P4 boasting 34 degrees of freedom (four more than its predecessor), and a more flexible waist that makes it more adept at walking and even dancing. Yeah, we're as sad as everyone that there's no video yet, but you can at least check out few more pics at the link below.
Update: It turns out this is not an updated ASIMO model, but rather an earlier ASIMO prototype that has only just been revealed at the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan. ASIMO's current dancing ability remains a mystery.
Update: It turns out this is not an updated ASIMO model, but rather an earlier ASIMO prototype that has only just been revealed at the Honda Collection Hall in Motegi, Japan. ASIMO's current dancing ability remains a mystery.
I love watching this robot develop.
@djsiek
I'd love to watch this robot develop it's own lethal weapons and find a way to charge it's batteries with human blood.
@Blackstar
lol
@Blackstar
Ah, that will be the P9
@djsiek
i think i saw a video of one running during a Honda commercial, is that even possible yet?
i mean for these to be running? wtf.
@BrianH These things can definately run, check this out.
http://www.bostondynamics.com/robot_bigdog.html
watch the video.
@Engdadget
Nice "Update". What, did you just look at a picture and make up a story about slim designs and dancing?
I lost the gamw
Now that begs the question of whether AWESOM-O will also be losing weight???
It's going to be awesome when these things are making me sandwiches when I'm old.
@jonny polite
isnt that why we have women?
*ducks*
Wow, pretty impressive. I wish there was some kind of an alliance of all these electronics companies which research into Robotics. A standard for Robots centered around NASA, and companies like these would be awesome. Tech sharing would lead to leaps of evolution, cause an aggregated effort would be much better than various independent researches being done by various companies.
Its 2010 already, its about time I got a "Bender" for my home :)
@Ameen
Not really. Technological competition spurs innovation and progress. IF everyone used the same technologies and patents, we wouldn't have as much choice, and if there was something better, no one would ever bother finding it.
@paul34
Think of it as a governing body with dictated AI adherence to a particular set of guidelines. Patent-Sharing is never gonna happen, and I didn't mean that.
Also one can think of it as a programming language based on which companies can build over their own variants of Robots. The further this field grows the better it is for mankind, Robots are much needed in a world that is full of strife and uncertainty. We need fully functioning independent AI (albeit with moral extensions) robots, yesterday.
@Ameen That's sorta what these guys are doing. It's no AI alliance but they are trying to make a universal platform so we can get started on making robots that are practical and don't suck. http://www.willowgarage.com/
He kinda reminds me of a Super Nintendo now....
Trust me, Robots arn't as good as you think they will be. I know, I am followed by some golden freak, day in, day out.
So when can I have a robot butler?
Is that an N spec wifi adapter i see?
@tobsmonster2
or are you just excited to see me. best robot pick up line ever
Aimo look too much like EVE.
Ummm that purplish one is an old model. It still looks the same.
slims down, grows breasts?
Them's pecs, boy. They don't call it 'ASIMA'.
Prime Directive: Kill John Connor.
Hopefully this one does better on the stairs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTlV0Y5yAww
@GeekPI
Love to see you develop a humanoid robot that can walk up stairs without fail.
Haha, you still cant catch me.
Article forgot to mention that ASIMO is the new spokesperson for Jenny Craig Japan.
Does he still sound like the kid from Full Metal Alchemist?
I bet I could get this p4 to over clock to 3.57 GHz...
*yawn* call me when they come out with the Core 2 Duo Asimo...
Robots are swell.
By your command!
Let me know when they start using artificial muscles.
They have been demoing this guy for over 6 years. I say its about time this guy shows up in real stores.
yeah, I was gonna say- that shade of violet played out in the early 2000s, can't be new at all.
WOW - it develops pretty well :D love it :D