Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Honda testing 49' Asimo for Rose Bowl]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/honda-testing-49-asimo-for-rose-bowl/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/honda-testing-49-asimo-for-rose-bowl/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/23/honda-testing-49-asimo-for-rose-bowl/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Honda might be killing off the NSX and pulling its factory support out of various two- and four-wheeled racing events along with its long-running Honda Hoot gathering, but the automaker has managed to find the resources to invest in a five-story top hat-wearing Asimo float to lead the Rose Parade on January 1. In addition to the towering presence of Asimo, a hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity will pace the event, which moves pretty slow and therefore probably doesn't really need a pace car at all. No matter, this spectacle will be witnessed by millions of people tuning in to watch the 120th Tournament of Roses and the event will celebrate Honda's 50th year in the United States.

In addition to the giant Asimo robot and FCX Clarity, which will be accompanied by a Super Cub motorcycle, Honda will be providing 166 Metropolitan scooters and 12 generators to power the event. As you may have guessed, Honda is a major sponsor to the Tournament of Roses and is hoping to win another major award, as it's done in 13 of the last 14 years.

Gallery: Honda Asimo parade float

Continue reading Honda testing 49' Asimo for Rose Bowl

Honda testing 49' Asimo for Rose Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondahonda asimohonda asimo parade floathonda fcx clarityhonda parade floatHondaAsimoHondaAsimoParadeFloatHondaFcxClarityHondaParadeFloattournament of rosestournament of roses floattournament of roses paradeTournamentOfRosesTournamentOfRosesFloatTournamentOfRosesParadeTue, 23 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Honda unveils supplemental robot legs for humans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/honda-unveils-supplemental-robot-legs-for-humans/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/honda-unveils-supplemental-robot-legs-for-humans/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/07/honda-unveils-supplemental-robot-legs-for-humans/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for more shots of the Honda Walking Assist Device

Those who have difficulty walking may not be bound to a Segway for like thanks to Honda. The Japanese automaker is developing a new technology called the experimental walking assist device. These accessory legs have been designed as a means to offer a helping, um... leg to those who have difficult supporting themselves in day-to-day life but are capable of walking without assistance. Ongoing research for Honda's humanoid Asimo project spurred the robotic leg development, which began in earnest way back in 1999. Honda is now testing the legs at one of its Japanese factories in Sayama, Saitama.

To use the legs, the wearer slips on the special (and extremely stylish) shoes and adjusts the seat so that it supports their weight. Two motors move the frame and seat position while lithium-ion batteries keep the system powered for about two hours on a full charge. Are we the only ones who think Honda's new toy looks like the lower half of a Star Wars droid? OK, just checking.

Gallery: Honda Walking Assist Device


[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Honda unveils supplemental robot legs for humans

Honda unveils supplemental robot legs for humans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>hondahonda asimohonda legshonda walkerhonda walking assisthonda walking assist deviceHondaAsimoHondaLegsHondaWalkerHondaWalkingAssistHondaWalkingAssistDeviceFri, 07 Nov 2008 16:57:00 EST<![CDATA[ASIMO succeeds in leading orchestra, does not fall down]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/14/asimo-succeeds-in-leading-orchestra-does-not-fall-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/14/asimo-succeeds-in-leading-orchestra-does-not-fall-down/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/14/asimo-succeeds-in-leading-orchestra-does-not-fall-down/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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.

Gallery: ASIMO conducting orchestra


[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading ASIMO succeeds in leading orchestra, does not fall down

ASIMO succeeds in leading orchestra, does not fall down originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 May 2008 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asimoasimo orchestraAsimoOrchestrahondahonda asimoHondaAsimoWed, 14 May 2008 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aw Snap! Honda ASIMO robot to conduct Detroit Symphony Orchestra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/aw-snap-honda-asimo-robot-to-conduct-detroit-symphony-orchestra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/aw-snap-honda-asimo-robot-to-conduct-detroit-symphony-orchestra/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/aw-snap-honda-asimo-robot-to-conduct-detroit-symphony-orchestra/#commentsFiled under: ,



This one's has to sting a little bit for the Big 3. On May 13th, Honda's coming to D-town with its ASIMO robot, which will (hopefully) walk on stage and open a special performance with Yo-Yo Ma by successfully conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a rousing rendition of "Impossible Dream". Not only do General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler LLC lack a humanoid robot that scares us every time we see it walk, dance, skip or run, but it certainly doesn't have one that can wave a stick in the air. Honda is working with the DSO to bring music eduction to kids and has gifted the big band with a $1 million donation to create The Power of Dreams Music Education Fund. As for ASIMO, we'll be impressed when he drops the baton and picks up Yo-Yo Ma's violin to play a flawless performance of Mozart's 4th. Well here's an Aw Snap! for Honda: Toyota already built that robot.

[Source: Engadget]

Aw Snap! Honda ASIMO robot to conduct Detroit Symphony Orchestra originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 18:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asimo conductingasimo conductsasimo dsoasimo orchestraAsimoConductingAsimoConductsAsimoDsoAsimoOrchestradetroit symphony orc...DetroitSymphonyOrc...hondahonda asimoHondaAsimoWed, 23 Apr 2008 18:57:00 EST