Honda introduced its humanoid robot ASIMO in 2000. The name ASIMO is an acronym derived from “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility,” and the robot was designed to demonstrate practical research into human-friendly machines.
ASIMO evolved from Honda’s earlier experimental humanoid robots, beginning with the E-series in the 1980s and the P-series in the 1990s. Those projects gradually improved bipedal walking, balance, and movement on uneven surfaces. The first ASIMO was unveiled in Japan in 2000, making it one of the best-known humanoid robots of its era.
Later versions could walk, run, climb stairs, recognize people, and respond to selected spoken commands. ASIMO was primarily a research and demonstration platform, not a mass-market household robot. Honda ended active ASIMO development in 2018, while continuing robotics research in other forms.