As product demonstrations go, this is what you would call a worst case scenario. Right at the one minute mark, the Honda Asimo robot has an issue making it up the steps and takes a faceplant on the floor below, shattering his glass "face" and saying what sounds like "sleeping". We're not sure if it was nap time or too much saki, but the quick dimming of the lights and unfurling of the wheeled wall demonstrates some pretty quick thinking, and obvious preparation for such a mishap. We hope you get a laugh out of it as much as us and the folks in attendance.
[Source: TechEBlog]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Petey @ Dec 11th 2006 8:13PM
Poor, little guy... i hope he's ok. (wait a minute... its a robot.. wtf)
Blacknimbus @ Dec 11th 2006 8:23PM
A better distraction would have been a couple of cute nurses in ill-fitting uniforms rolling out a stretcher and rescuing the robot.
I'm just saying....
XR @ Dec 11th 2006 8:25PM
take that, honda fanboys!
Nick R @ Dec 11th 2006 8:29PM
Stupid Japanese! You suck! You can't even build a decent robot!!! Ford's robot will kick your robot's ass!!! Cuz Lord knows they can't make cars anymore....
Nakagawa @ Dec 11th 2006 8:30PM
hahaha...
Idiot American.
American can make this?
Our Japanese has World No.1 Technology.
Hahaha...
I hate American car, and we japanese do not buy american car. bcz, they looks too fat and ugly.
but, american loves our japanese car. LOL
What is this difference?
bcz, We are No.1. and american does not have technology.
chairman @ Dec 11th 2006 8:30PM
It's creepy seeing how human-like the walking motion is. Give Honda a couple more years and I'm sure an Accord battloid mecha will make us forget of Asimo.
Slo_Mo_Shun @ Dec 11th 2006 8:36PM
Things I'd like to see before I die:
A self-parking Lexus backs up and runs over an Honda Asimo
Bonita @ Dec 11th 2006 8:48PM
It's obvious why it doesn't work. Look closely at the sign on its ass. It says: "Genuine GM parts."
epp_b @ Dec 11th 2006 8:49PM
Umaricun: take that, dickweeds! ya cant build no robuts, so yuh can't make cers either! ford rules!
Japanese: you dums americans person!! america no make robot ables! lets arm you creating forces mechanicals!1!12!@
Umaricun 2: haw haw, you cant evun speek english! er maybe engrish! haw! chevy rulez!!
Japanese: better cars we conceive you then! Honda longer longevity ford and chevy before! reliability kings you!
And so it goes on...
iQuack @ Dec 11th 2006 8:50PM
The next presentation by Honda will show how Asimo healed up without a hospital visit and just a few days of bed rest.
Honda still builds just about everything better than most car companies. Just ask the people who actually OWN Hondas, not those who don't.
JON C @ Dec 11th 2006 8:54PM
If at once you don't succeed...
Flubber @ Dec 11th 2006 9:03PM
Okay am I the only one here that noticed the robot wasn't watching where he was going?
That One Person @ Dec 11th 2006 9:11PM
#10 iQuack...yea thats why a good friend of mine had to take his Civic in before 30k miles TWICE to get the trans replaced. Or another friend's Civic's electrical system that decided to crap out about three months into ownership. Honda isnt perfect, you know?
Anyways, the auto companies need to start up an Ultimate Robot Fighter league.
Supercujo @ Dec 11th 2006 9:42PM
"Honda builds great cars, not great robots"?!?
WTF?
Show me another robot that does as much as what Asimo can do. Honda has been at the forefront of robotics using the Asimo platform for a long time.
I sense a bit of USian jealousy in the editorial above and the comments. How about a little bit more praise with the laughter at the stuff up...
I bet Asimo completed those steps hundreds of times in testing. It is really freaky to see that thing walk so easily.
Bert @ Dec 11th 2006 10:00PM
And none of us have ever tripped or stumbled or slipped?
Scott @ Dec 11th 2006 10:10PM
Scott Davis - where's your bipedal humanoid robot, smart guy?
I'm (mostly) kidding...
I suppose Honda can be laughed at and ridiculed for trying. Let's all laugh at furthering understanding and technology!
Jonathan @ Dec 11th 2006 10:27PM
I saw this on digg, and then Engadget and now here.
Why don't you post it when this stuff is news, or just don't post it at all.
Carl @ Dec 11th 2006 10:47PM
Poot Honda! Booo hoo!!
Sob, sob!!
Waaaah!
Always getting picked on!
Waaaaaah!
Why Honda?
Why?
Sob!
Waaaaah!
Derek @ Dec 11th 2006 10:54PM
Am I the only one disturbed by this video? I've always been interested in him, and have followed his progress..to me he's almost human. Seeing him fall brought out the same emotion as I would feel upon seeing a small child fall and injure himself.
C'est Raoul @ Dec 11th 2006 11:10PM
Derek: same thing here: he landed on his face, and I felt: ouch, this must murt.
The fact that he lies on the floor afterward without moving: It was hurt badly.
Funny.