Rockstar Robots: Honda’s Asimo

Rockstar Robots make up the cream of the crop in the world of robotics. These are the bots that will turn heads with just their name being uttered. Even those who don’t stay on top of who’s making what should recognize a famous robot or two when they see it.

For the month of May, to celebrate the latest Make: issue on robotics, we’re going to be sharing many robot celebrities so you can know who is who the next time you’re at a robot gathering.

If there is one celebrity robot that stands out among the top most recognized, it would have to include Honda’s ASIMO humanoid robot. ASIMO (Advanced Step Innovative Mobility) was designed to be a multi-functional mobile assistant for users who lack full mobility.

The 4′ tall robot is capable of recognizing moving objects, gestures, and its surroundings, as well as sounds and faces, which allows it to distinguish between humans and other objects.

It’s ASIMO’s status as an ambassador of sorts that give it its celebrity status as many world leaders have met the robot while visiting Tokyo’s Mirakan museum (National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation).

The robot has greeted numerous dignitaries including US President Barack Obama, Prince Charles, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, and most recently German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Besides greeting world leaders, ASIMO has also been featured on film in the documentary Living with Robots at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. It conducted “The Impossible Dream” with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a guest on Britain’s QI quiz show.

Not many other robots can claim that kind of celebrity status.