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December 12, 2007
This Week:
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Audi A4 sedan - S line sport package plus for even more dynamism
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Honda Unveils New "Team Working" Humanoid Robots
New ASIMO technologies to be tested in a real life environment TOKYO, Japan - Honda Motor Co., Ltd today unveiled a series of cutting-edge intelligence technologies which will enable ASIMO to operate autonomously with people and other ASIMOs. The advances bring Honda one step closer to the development of a humanoid robot that can be put to practical use in a real world environment requiring coexistence with people.
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To test these technologies, ASIMO will perform uninterrupted service to office guests at the second floor lobby of Honda's Aoyama Headquarters from 3:00pm to 5:00pm weekdays between December 12, 2007 and January 31, 2008. During this time Honda will study ASIMO's ability to guide visitors and deliver refreshments and also how it handles the challenges of working in a real life environment. |
The key technologies announced are:
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A new system that enables multiple ASIMO humanoid robots to share tasks and work together to provide uninterrupted service to people. For example, if one ASIMO is recharging, other ASIMO robots can step in and perform the assigned tasks instead.
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A newly added function enabling ASIMO to automatically charge its battery, when required.
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An intelligence technology that enables ASIMO to avoid obstructions by choosing between stepping back and yielding the right-of-way or continuing to walk based on the predicted movement of oncoming people.
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A new intelligence technology related to ASIMO's ability to perform tasks such as carrying a tray and pushing a trolley.
Since introducing an all-new ASIMO in 2005, with more advanced physical and intelligence capabilities, Honda has focused its R&D efforts more on the area of intelligence technologies.
1. New function to work together
In situations where more than one ASIMO is required to work together, information regarding the current status of each ASIMO will be shared constantly among the multiple networked ASIMOs and share tasks in the most efficient manner. More precisely, first, the distance between the current position of each ASIMO and the site where each task needs to be performed will be calculated. Then, taking remaining battery levels into consideration, the most time efficient way to share tasks among the multiple ASIMOs will be determined. Based on this decision, each ASIMO autonomously performs its assigned tasks.
2. New function to avoid oncoming people
ASIMO identifies oncoming people through its eye camera, calculates traveling direction and speed, predicts forthcoming movements of oncoming people, and chooses the most appropriate path so that it will not block the movement of others. When there is not enough space, ASIMO will step back and yield the right-of-way.
3. New autonomous battery charging function
A new battery charging station was developed for ASIMO's autonomous recharging. When the remaining battery level falls below a certain level, ASIMO will automatically identify and walk to the closest available battery charging station and re-charge while standing.
Photos: Honda
(December 11, 2007)
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