Honda introduced the original ASIMO robot in 2000.
ASIMO, short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility, emerged from Honda’s long-running effort to develop machines that could walk on two legs. Honda’s experimental E-series robots began in the 1980s, followed by the P-series prototypes during the 1990s. That research provided the balance, motion-control and bipedal-walking technology used in ASIMO.
The first ASIMO was unveiled in October 2000 as a humanoid technology demonstrator. It was designed to operate in human environments, climb stairs and interact with people rather than perform industrial assembly-line work. The original model was later followed by substantially revised versions, including updates released in 2004, 2005 and 2011.
A common mix-up is confusing ASIMO’s introduction with later public demonstrations or upgrades. Honda also produced 20 units of the first model in 2002, and ASIMO later became widely known through museum appearances, educational tours and public performances. Honda retired the ASIMO line in 2022 while continuing to apply its robotics research elsewhere.