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Posts tagged honda
Honda’s Advanced Mobility Technology – ASIMO
4The following research on ASIMO is engaged by Honda Advanced Technology
Honda is generally associated as a company that produces cars and motorcycles. In a departure to traditional wheeled vehicles, Honda also pursuit in researching more radical mobility technology. The result is ASIMO, Honda’s Advanced Mobility Technology.
The concept behind Honda’s robot R&D was to create a viable mobility technology that allows robot to live with and help human kind. With two-legged walking capability, the robot would be free from purpose built roads and be able to maneuver with human. This includes circumventing objects, going up and down stairs, and walking on uneven roads. The ultimate objective is, of course, to allow the robot to live in a human home and not confined to purpose built environments.
Contrary to popular misconception, ASIMO is not a reference to popular science fiction writer and the inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Issac Asimov, but an acronym for “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility”
the whole lineup, from experimental models to the new ASIMO
The first version of ASIMO was unveiled in 2000 following a slew of experimental models developed by Honda started from the 1986. The first seven models (E0 to E6) were basically just walking legs, three other humanoid robots with upper limbs were developed from 1993 to 1997 before ASIMO was launched. Almost a quarter century of dedicated development.
The current version of ASIMO, first unveiled in 2005, has seen numerous improvement over the previous version. The robot can walk at a leisure speed of 2.7 km/hour, and for the first time, run at 6 km/hour. ASIMO can also do what most other things human is capable of, this includes recognizing people’s face and interact with them via its head-mounted camera, maneuver around obstructions, as well as dance in tune with music.
By being programmed and operated wirelessly, ASIMO can perform a number of tasks including fetching coffee, walking hand-in-hand with a human, and even conducting a symphony ochestra.
ASIMO runs on Lithium Ion battery with a continuous operating time of 40 minutes to 1 hour. The robot will automatically identify and walk to the closest charging station when its remaining battery level falls below a certain level. This ensures that there isn’t any human intervention needed to recharge the robot.
Honda’s commitment to continue development of ASIMO and its advanced mobility technology will only mean that the robot will one day take an active role in fulfilling serious functions in society. It may serve as another set of eyes, ears, hands, and legs for all kinds of people in need.
Hopefully soon enough, we will all have an ASIMO or equivalent serving as the helper at home instead of having to hire foreign maids like we do now.
For more information, you can visit Honda Advanced Technology
Toyota MR2 Teh Tarik Session
52731 days
by KY
in Social Events
I finally went to the Toyota MR2 teh tarik session for the first time. Had to miss the last one as I went back to Penang for a friend’s wedding. I’m most likely not able to remember all the new names, but there’s always the next round.
There were close to 10 cars that came to the Shell station at TTDI on the friday night. Among the over half dozen MR2 SW20s, there were 2 MR-S, including Alan’s ride with execellent body kit and really awesome paintjob, and a really sweet looking MK1. The guys were friendly and a few of us are newcomers, including soon-to-be MR2 owners.
After spending some time talking with each other at Shell TTDI, we moved over to Dataran Prima for a drink. There were more sports cars there, including Mazda RX-7 & RX-8, several Mitsubishi Evos, Nissan Skylines, Honda S2000, Subaru Imprezas, and even a Nissan Silvia. I think I should remember to bring my camera the next time around.
a bunch of MR2 owners mingling around
my car with the mismatching front bumper color smacked right in the middle
MK1 right next to the newer MR-S
My Rides
8As a first post, let me introduce my current and previous rides.
My 1989 Honda Accord, never failed me. I had once took the old horse to an almost 5,000 KM road trip in a week’s time.
Bought the 1994 Ford Probe (with the 2.0 Mazda MX6 engine) after I banged the 89 Accord. It was in pretty bad condition and I sold it less than a year later after I got the Dodge Stealth RT/TT.
The 1996 Dodge Stealth RT/TT is still the best ride I had. It is actually a second generation Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 in disguise. Outside of US, the car is known as the Mitsubishi GTO. With 3.0 twin turbo engine (6G72) that churns out 320 horsepower, it was truely a joy ride while it lasted. I had to sell the car after losing my job in the Cincinnati.
The last car I drove in US before coming back to Malaysia was the 1993 Honda Accord that I bought for US $2000. I did some work on the car, changed spark plugs and the wires, and a thermostat. Sold the car for the exact amount of money I bought it for before coming back to Malaysia.
My current ride, a Toyota MR2 SW20 with 3S-GTE . Needs a paint job..