Honda upgrades Asimo humanoid robot

The Telegraph reports.

In a demonstration held at Honda's research facility, in Tokyo, Asimo performed a variety of human tasks to demonstrate the technological developments made since the robot was last upgraded in 2005.

Tech News World says the latest Asimo also has improved intelligence and the physical ability to adapt to situations, bringing Honda closer to fulfilling its long-held dream of putting the robot to use in a public space or an office with heavy human traffic.

Honda developed a new technology to evaluate inputs from multiple sensors so the new Asimo can respond to the movements of people and changes in its surroundings.

Honda also said "co-ordination between visual and auditory sensors enables Asimo to simultaneously recognise a face and voice,” PCMag notes.

Honda's robotics efforts date back to 1986 with EO, the two-legged robot, which successfully mastered walking by putting one leg in front of the other - though it took five seconds between steps. Honda has unveiled nine robots in the last 25 years.