Click above to view video after the jump
While our blogging brethren over at Engadget are just relieved that Honda's ASIMO robot didn't attempt a global coup while conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra last night, we're more impressed it didn't fall over and crack its head open. (Seriously Honda, you don't think you're ever going to live that down, do you?) As we reported late last month, Honda's creepy little humanoid robot opened for Yo-Yo Ma in Detroit by conducting the DSO in a rousing rendition of "Impossible Dream". We're not sure what great advances in technology are demonstrated by having a robot conduct an orchestra, however, because we're pretty sure that an actual human conductor is just a glorified metronome. Check out some video of ASIMozart conducting after the break.
UPDATE: Replaced video snippet after jump with professionally edited video from Honda.
[Source: Engadget]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aprime @ May 14th 2008 5:45PM
I don't know about you guys, but I really don't care much about it anymore, simply because it has never been autonomous, always controlled by humans in the background. It's basically a remote-controlled humanoid robot.
Not exactly impressive these days. >_>
Red @ May 14th 2008 5:46PM
The purpose of having ASIMO conduct had to do with Honda donating the large amount of money they're donating to help kids get what they need to continue their pursuit of music education. No real other reason than that.
As for living down ASIMO's fall, well, of course they're not going to live it down, particularly if people keep bringing it up. It's over and done with. Now I'm waiting for the real live plot of "IRobot", where Toyota has their ego deflated by this move from Honda and begans humanoid domination to make themselves feel better about nobody caring about their Toyota bot-thingy, thus sending mankind into near world-wide extinction during the inevitable hostile Toyota bot-thingy takeover when one Toyota bot-thingy that has dreams, malfunctions while trying to parallel park for you. Then Will Smith comes out of nowhere and saves the day by building a GM bot-thingy that kicks Toyota bot-thingy's ass, but not before Mr. Smith becomes the last man in the world in New York City and celebrates independence day. the end
Damn, I'm hungry. :)
Torrent @ May 14th 2008 5:48PM
That is by far the creepiest thing I've ever seen........
This week....
John @ May 14th 2008 5:51PM
This thing has been around for years and the novelty has worn off long ago.
I'll be impressed when it and Mrs. ASIMO can have baby ASIMOs.
AmericanTruckGuy @ May 14th 2008 6:02PM
next thing for Asimo is to perform in a bukkake.
Aprime @ May 14th 2008 6:12PM
Oh God not the bucket.
AmericanTruckGuy @ May 14th 2008 6:16PM
Or even better, 3 ASIMO's and a Cup holder!
Chuck @ May 14th 2008 6:12PM
"we're pretty sure that an actual human conductor is just a glorified metronome."
As a car enthusiast who is also a classical music enthusiast, I can assure you that the best conductors are far more than metronomes.
The greatest orchestral performances are always stamped with the personality of the conductor working with other great musicians.
For a group who debate the tiniest variance in engine design and interior fit and finish, I'm surprised at Autobog's general dismissal of what great music making is about.
My I-pod is connected to my Infiniti M45, and I can tell you that I chose the downloaded music very carefully.
Sorry to be a music snob, but hey, this place is full of car snobs!
Cheers
jb @ May 14th 2008 6:45PM
what he said
HAWC1506 @ May 14th 2008 6:21PM
Amen, whoever says a conductor is just a glorified metronome should jump off a cliff. I also remembered reading a post saying Yoyo-Ma was a violinist. Whoever wrote THAT, should be used as a crash-test dummy in the BS Chinese car.
Ford Wannup @ May 14th 2008 8:07PM
@HAWC1506:
yea...it was our dearest blog author Neff who associated YoYo-Ma with violin. But hey, it's a blog, so accuracy is not important ;)
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/aw-snap-honda-asimo-robot-to-conduct-detroit-symphony-orchestra/
Unknown @ May 14th 2008 10:30PM
Audiophile with an iPod? Hmmm... I hope you use AAC Lossless. hahaha.
Johnny @ May 14th 2008 6:14PM
Say what you will about Honda, but I love the company, its heritage, its dedication to technology and its relentless investment in many fields from airplanes to cars to engines to robots and more.
Joshua @ May 15th 2008 1:15AM
you said it!
Aprime @ May 15th 2008 2:55AM
ITT: Honda fanbois downvote everyone who says something bad about ASIMO or "their" company.
AmericanTruckGuy @ May 14th 2008 6:17PM
Remember guys, Honda is an ENGINEERING (engine) company first and fore most. It primarily builds engines (propulsion) and then products around those engines. The are the LARGEST engine manufacturer in the WORLD.
MachinaDC5 @ May 14th 2008 6:24PM
Now if only their F1 car could be driven by ASIMO...
anti-believer @ May 14th 2008 7:32PM
I love Honda.
Mi key @ May 14th 2008 7:38PM
"Now if only their F1 car could be driven by ASIMO..."
Then people would just say the car was remote controlled. ASIMO is the best Adult toy ever.
That bakkake comment roflmfao! Priceless.
Big Jim Slade @ May 14th 2008 8:46PM
Never been a big fan of their appliancemobiles, but (for Honda) this is actually cool. Wonder if it has enough torque to make it up a flight of stairs.
Sadly his intelligence is only usable in the high-RPM range. He can actually talk but you can't hear him over the buzz of straining machinery...