ASIMO (アシモ, ashimo?) is a humanoid robot created by Honda. Standing at 130 centimeters (4 feet 3 inches) and weighing 54 kilograms (114 pounds), the robot resembles a small astronaut wearing a backpack and can walk or run on two feet at speeds up to 6 km/h (4.3 mph), matching EMIEW.[1] ASIMO was created at Honda's Research & Development Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan. It is the current model in a line of eleven that began in 1986 with E0.
Officially, the name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility". Honda's official statements[2] claim that the robot's name is not a reference to science fiction writer and inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Isaac Asimov.
As of February 2009, there are over 100 ASIMO units in existence.[3] Each one costs under $1 million (¥106,710,325 or €638,186 or £504,720) to manufacture,[4] and some units are available to be hired out for $166,000 (¥17,714,316 or €105,920 or £83,789) per year.[5]
Officially, the name is an acronym for "Advanced Step in Innovative MObility". Honda's official statements[2] claim that the robot's name is not a reference to science fiction writer and inventor of the Three Laws of Robotics, Isaac Asimov.
As of February 2009, there are over 100 ASIMO units in existence.[3] Each one costs under $1 million (¥106,710,325 or €638,186 or £504,720) to manufacture,[4] and some units are available to be hired out for $166,000 (¥17,714,316 or €105,920 or £83,789) per year.[5]
