The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast

ASIMO robot development comes to an end

By Steve Crowe | June 29, 2018

We said 2019 will be the year of legged robots. Well, it looks like the Honda ASIMO robot won’t be part of that plan.

Development on the Honda ASIMO robot has stopped, according to multiple reports. Honda says it will continue researching humanoid robots, but they won’t have the ASIMO name. Honda’s main focus will shift to using some of ASIMO’s technology to develop robots for more practical applications, including nursing and road transport.

The Nikkei Asian Review, for example, reports that Honda ASIMO technology helped lead to the development of a $2500 robot lawnmower. NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, reports the Honda ASIMO team has already been disbanded. Honda denies this, but NHK hints at increasing competition in the field, specifically Boston Dynamics’ incredible Atlas humanoid robot, as a reason for ceasing development.

ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, was introduced in 2000 and has been a symbol of Japan’s robotics expertise. The Honda ASIMO robot is adept at walking, runs 5.6 MPH, climbs stairs, and even hops on one leg. It can also recognize moving objects, determine the distance and direction of the objects and interpret voice commands and human gestures. The 4-foot-3-inch robot weighs 119 pounds and has a one-hour battery life.

ASIMO

Evolution of Honda’s walking robots

The seventh-generation Honda ASIMO was introduced in 2011 with improved intelligence and the ability to autonomously determine its next moves. According to Kyodo News, that was the last time the Honda ASIMO was upgraded.

Honda actually began researching walking robots in the 1980s. There was the E Series from 1987-1993 that Honda engineers used to establish stable walking technology. Honda then followed up with the P Series until 2000 when ASIMO was introduced. Check out the history of Honda’s robot developments here to see how far its come with walking robots.

There’s hasn’t been a company that’s yet figured out how to really monetize bipedal robots. Agility Robotics has sold several Cassie bipedal robots to universities, but it never felt like Honda ever wanted ASIMO to be anything other than a marketing prop used for demos and photo ops with President Obama.

Perhaps the Honda ASIMO was developed too early to have any practical use, similar to what happened with the Jibo social robot. In 2013, Honda announced it was working on a disaster response robot based on ASIMO. And in October 2017 it gave us a sneak peek at the 5-foot-6-inch tall, 187-pound E2-DR humanoid that can climb stairs, negotiate obstacles, and even fit through tight spaces.

With the major improvements to Atlas, and the welcomed addition of Cassie, we can only wonder what could have been had the Honda ASIMO been a priority for the last seven years. Perhaps it would be the Honda ASIMO doing flips and going for a job, not Atlas. For years, Asimo didn’t have any serious competition. That’s certainly not the case now.

If you want a little more detail on the direction Honda is taking some of its robotics development, here’s a glimpse at the robots Honda introduced at CES 2018.

About The Author

Steve Crowe

Steve Crowe is Editor of The Robot Report and co-chair of the Robotics Summit & Expo. He joined WTWH Media in January 2018 after spending four-plus years as Managing Editor of Robotics Trends Media. He can be reached at [email protected]

Comments

  1. Sheryl Smalley says

    November 1, 2018 at 11:06 pm

    My mother has Dementia and gets very upset when we try to help her with daily things. I am looking to find something that could assist her in her daily needs but also would not get their feelings hurt being yelled at all the time. It would also be nice to have a robot that could play a game with her or sit and watch television while I take care of the household chores. It is too expensiive to hire help and the State doesn’t want to help. I know a robot would not be cheap but maybe you could start thinking about a way to help all us families in need. I greatly appreciate your time and consideration.

    Reply
    • Prometheus says

      January 23, 2019 at 12:51 pm

      Oh boy, You really don’t understand how robotics works do you? r/woooosh

      Reply
      • Vision says

        September 15, 2020 at 11:01 am

        Eventually, one of the applications of robotics in japan is to help elderly. As people have less children, demographics have shifted and now there are far less young people paying taxes to help with elderly.

        Reply
  2. Kenneth says

    June 17, 2019 at 7:02 am

    Can these products be purchased in Australia and also is Asimo in the production stage and can be purchased for the home, I started following Asimo a few years now and would like considering (Maybe) Purchasing if possible. Yours, sincerely ‘Ken’

    Reply
  3. E zhou says

    June 20, 2019 at 4:32 pm

    Sad to learn that development has come to an end.Asimo had become a darling to watch.

    Reply
  4. Claude says

    August 24, 2019 at 11:07 pm

    Very sad that the Asimo project came to an end for the usual topics regarding it’s non-profitability as a product (most people don’t know it costs over 2 million USD and can function for max 1 hour on battery).
    It was a courageous project that started having human environments/interaction in mind, with somewhat of a goal into medical assistance and home housekeeping…this latter task that is currently addressed by far less complex and expensive wheeled robots.
    It is very disappointing to see on the contrary how the Atlas project, that most clearly has military goals (all-terrain moving performance, overcoming obstacles and jumping over things)….unless they want to create a gymnast which I truly doubt… finds continuous funding and development.

    Asimo could have been one day a perfect nurse for the sick and companion to the elderly so it gets dropped because non-profitable.

    Atlas could be one day a perfect killing machine so “hurray!” let’s fund that bottomless because it WILL BE profitable.

    Humanity is too stupid and won’t go very far.

    Reply
  5. Nicole says

    July 16, 2020 at 5:50 am

    Instead we got Alexa she does nothing can honda stop building cars and refocus on robotics. Since the covid19 everything has change and if there was a time for robots it’s now. I prefer to have a robotic companion than a car 💯 so come on honda bring back asimo.

    It’s taken years to build and your gonna shut it down. That’s a silly aim. For all the people who see robotics as a weapon well asimo is 4ft 😂😂 (calm down goblins) too much sci-fi because your car can kill you too but hey we not got say that cars are robotics I might offend someone.

    My only request is this when they decide to bring asimo back can we have him on finance working 9 to 5 don’t pay that much.

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

10 most popular stories of February 2021
Accenture acquiring Pollux
Accenture acquiring Brazilian industrial robotics firm Pollux
Skydio
Skydio 1st U.S. drone maker to reach unicorn status
Investor’s perspective on state of robotics; Apologizing to Boston Dynamics

Robotics Year in Review

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Designing robots to survive lunar nights

The Robot Report Podcast · Designing robot arms to survive lunar nights; Waymo 'no plans' to expand in Ariz.

Sponsored Content

  • Doosan Robotics: Driving Innovation and Growth in Cobots
  • FORT Robotics Podcast: FORT Robotics on how to keep humans safe and in control of robots
  • Pallet Detection Systems Help Automated Forklifts Modernize Warehouse Operations
  • IES Servo Control Gripper
  • How to cut the cost of manufacturing

Tweets by RoboticTips

The Robot Report
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Business Review
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast