'ASIMO' (artificial natural)

Honda has developed a humanoid robot named 'ASIMO'. The machine is created to serve its human counterpart, supported by the built-in intelligence, which enables it to multi-task for an approximate 25 minutes. At the current stage, ASIMO can read facial expressions and human body language of its human subject. That's not all this light weight (magnesium alloy) robot can muster. It has the ability to: run at 6km/h in straight or circular sets, push a cart at a set speed, going from straight to sharp bends in fluent form, the agility to carry and hold objects, that weigh around 2kg or less, climb stairs or descend from long stairwells with ease, by measuring each step without any mistakes (ideal for office assistance).

The ASIMO with all its human qualities, ranging from: greeting oncoming people, follow them, move in the direction a person indicates, recognises a face for future reference, has a built network that is connected to the internet, which provides information on demand. When totally independent, without 'assistance', ASIMO can adjust to situations, when placed in an environment, alien to office building settings. Its machine qualities are governed by precision, picking upon spatial flow, and mapping locations with high-tech cameras. When moving from A to B, it calculates the distance of location from memory, and executes with precision. 

It has taken the research team, three decades to assemble the 'original' concept. The vision could not be realized back then, due to 'slow' technological advancements. Robots are made to deliver service to humans, each model shipped to meet standards. It has opened up a market for robotic commodities. Extensive studies are carried out to formulate, how a humanoid robot can coexist amongst humans, and how it would contribute to society at large. "It's likely the robots will become the most valued commodity, in centuries to come."

http://world.honda.com/ASIMO/