Honda show off new faster, smarter Asimo robot - VIDEO

Honda demonstrate the revamped Asimo robot, making the childlike machine run and hop around as well as serve drinks to show how the humanoid is now smarter and even more agile

In a demonstration held at Honda's research facility in Tokyo, Asimo performed a variety of human tasks to demonstrate the technological developments made since the robot was last upgraded in 2005.

The new Asimo has improved hands, allowing individual movement of each finger, which was proudly shown off as the humanoid opened a Thermos bottle and gracefully poured juice into a paper cup.

As well as being able to walk over bumps, Asimo can also jog faster, beating his previous top speed of just under 4mph with a new record of 5.7mph.

Demonstrating new levels of intelligence, the childlike robot was also able to distinguish the voices of three people spoken at once, using face recognition and sound analysis.

The technological showcase went some way to answer critics of the project, first unveiled in 2000, who argue that Asimo has little practical use and is nothing more than a vanity project for the Japanese car manufacturer.

Honda said elements of technology developed for Asimo was used to develop a robotic arm in just six months with the intention of helping with the nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan.

The carmaker is currently working with the utility company behind the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which went into meltdown following March's tsunami, to try to meet demands to bring the plant under control.

The mechanical arm is being used to open and close valves at the problem plant, a Honda spokesman said.


/The Telegraph/