Page 134 - Modern Robotics Building Versatile Macines

114 Modern Robotics

2001 Hirose becomes senior chief engineer at Honda
Asimo is improved with faster operation and onboard voice
recognition software

2002 An Asimo robot rings the bell at the New York Stock Exchange
on February 14

2004 Honda reveals a next-generation Asimo whose innovative pos-
ture control lets it jog and run

2006 Asimo robots begin to serve as receptionists and guides

Further Reading

Books

Foerst, Anne. God in the Machine: What Robots Teach Us about
Humanity and God. New York: Dutton, 2004.
Discusses the relationship between the quest for artificial intelligence
and life and that of various spiritual traditions.
Ichbiah, Daniel. Robots: From Science Fiction to Technological
Revolution. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2005.
Includes a chapter on humanoid and entertainment robots, including
Asimo and QRIO.

Articles
Hara, Yoshiko. “New Industry Awaits Human-Friendly Bipeds:
‘Personal Robots’ Get Ready to Walk on the Human Side.”
Electronic Engineering Times, 15 September 2002, n.p.
Includes interviews with Honda and Sony researchers about their
humanoid robot projects.
“Next, the Helper.” Asiaweek, 8 February 2001, n.p.
Interview with Masato Hirose of Honda Corporation about Asimo
and future robots.
Yamaguchi, Yuzo. “All Too Human: Honda’s Walking, Talking
Robot, Asimo, Leads Automaker into Uncharted Territory.”
Automotive News 76 (January 28, 2002): 100.
Describes how Asimo has fit into Honda’s corporate strategy since the
1970s; also describes how the company sought advice from the Vatican.