Honda developed the humanoid robot ASIMO, first unveiled in 2000.
ASIMO’s name is commonly expanded as Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. Honda presented the robot on 31 October 2000 after years of research into bipedal walking. Its development grew from Honda’s experimental P-series robots, beginning with the P1 prototype in 1993.
ASIMO was designed to walk upright, climb stairs, recognize people, and interact with users. Honda’s engineers worked on balance control so the robot could adjust its posture while taking steps, turning, or responding to uneven movement. The machine was a research and demonstration platform rather than a mass-market household product.
ASIMO is sometimes confused with Honda’s motorcycle-riding robot UNI-CUB or with Sony’s AIBO robot dog. Honda retired ASIMO-related demonstration activities in 2018, but the project remains an important milestone in humanoid robotics and dynamic walking research.