Honda robot appears at the European Parliament - meeting follows new euro funding for robotics

Citation

(2005), "Honda robot appears at the European Parliament - meeting follows new euro funding for robotics", Industrial Robot, Vol. 32 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2005.04932dab.005

Honda robot appears at the European Parliament - meeting follows new euro funding for robotics

Honda robot appears at the European Parliament – meeting follows new euro funding for robotics

Keywords: Europe, Robotics

ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, met with members of the EU institutions at an historic meeting at the European Parliament, Brussels 25 January 2005 (see Plate 1).

The robot's appearance, which included a demonstration of its unique ability to walk up and down stairs, was part of a wider presentation by Honda to the Parliament on developments in humanoid robots and their benefits to society. Professor Dr Edgar Koerner, President of Honda Research Institute (Europe) led the presentations.

Plate 1

ASIMO, which stands for advanced step in innovative mobility, is widely regarded as the world's most advanced humanoid robot. Launched in 2000, it was the first robot to master intelligent, real-time, flexible walking technology.

The meeting at the Parliament coincides with the European Commission's announcement earlier this month to fund RobotCub, a project aimed at moving research forward in Europe in the field of humanoid robotics and cognitive neuroscience.

ASIMO is entirely independent of the RobotCub project, it demonstrates the groundbreaking technological advancements which have been made by Honda in this area of science and research.

In his speech, Professor Dr Koerner explained to the gathered MEPs, the latest advances in humanoid robotics, the challenge for scientists and engineers in this field of research and the potential future benefits to society of this advanced form of mobility.

Commenting after the presentation, Professor Dr Koerner said: “Our long term goal is to create a robot that can move like humans, interact with them and be of assistance to them. Today's visit to the European Parliament was a superb opportunity for us to demonstrate to some of Europe's key decision makers that humanoid robotics and cognitive systems will have significant implications for future society.”

For more information, contact: Graham Avent. Tel: 01753 590193, E-mail: graham.avent@honda-eu.com; Lawrence Pearce. Tel: 01 753 590232, E-mail: lawrence.pearce@honda-eu.com