The findings from this and similar research around the world will be integrated into the functionality of future versions ASIMO. It will also help realise a humanoid robot that can interact effortlessly with people in a living environment and take on some the tasks that would help make people's lives easier.

For nearly a quarter of a century Honda has made significant progress towards this goal.  The latest generation of this research is Honda's ASIMO, widely regarded as the most advanced humanoid robot. ASIMO, which stands for Advanced Step in Innovative MObility, features functionality including high-level mobility and an ability to give and receive objects.

Satoshi Shigemi, Large Project Leader of ASIMO development, Honda R&D Co., Ltd., said:

"This is an exciting collaboration for us with Ars Electronica Futurelab, which has a long history of investigating human-machine interaction and design. It is a significant milestone in our development of ASIMO and an important piece of human-robot interaction research to examine the diverse levels of robot acceptance and interaction around the world. We've already held research in Japan and in time we will conduct similar research in different cultures and different parts of the world."

He added: "The aim of this research is to better understand what the ideal interaction and communication between people and humanoid robots ought to be in the future. People need to be able to comfortably communicate with the robot so that it can react properly to their commands and carry out their wishes when assistance is needed."

The collaborative research with members of the public visiting the Ars Electronica Center will take place from the 2nd to 8th September 2010 during the Ars Electronica Festival in Linz, Austria. Leading experts from around the globe in the fields of robotics, futurology and design will gather at the Festival.

ENDS

For more information, please contact William De Braekeleer, Honda Motor Europe:

T : +44 (0) 1753 590 093          Email: William.de.braekeleer@honda-eu.com

Or alternatively, Adrian Chitty, Good Relations:T: +44 (0) 7812 196 598   

Email: achitty@goodrelations.co.uk

Publicity materials relating to this announcement are available at http://www.hondaeu-news.com/.

Broadcast quality footage of the research will be available at http://www.thenewsmarket.com/

Editor's Notes

Honda is one of the world's leading producers of mobility products including its diverse line-up of cars, motorcycles and ATVs, power products, marine engines, personal watercraft and the new advanced light jet, HondaJet.

ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative MObility) is regarded as the world's most advanced humanoid robot, with the ability to run, walk forward and backward, climb stairs, turn smoothly without pausing, and maintain balance, even while walking on uneven slopes and surfaces. Honda engineers began developing a humanoid robot in 1986 for the purpose of someday helping people in need. After years of research and development, they created an advanced humanoid robot able to function in real-world environments. ASIMO made its European debut at the Technical University of Darmstadt, Germany on 30 June 2003, where it appeared at a symposium entitled ‘From High Tech to Intelligence - The Challenge of Humanoid Robots'.