Honda Motor Co.’s ASIMO was originally developed and built so that in the future it may assist the elderly and disabled in their daily activities and chores at home. Many of the robot’s features are still in development, but ever since it’s first appearance in 2000, ASIMO (pictured above doing a balancing act together with students who were attending one of its many worldwide educational tours) has already become a robotic ambassador of sorts – each time showcasing its newly learned abilities to a worldwide audience.

Honda began working on robots back in 1986. ASIMO is already the 11^th installment in the series of Honda robots. E0 is the first in that series – a bipedal model that walks on two feet. With each advancement, the speed at which the robot walks gets faster and faster – with the last experimental model, E6, having the ability of autonomous control. E6 knew how to balance itself when going up and down on stairs or slopes or walking over obstacles. (pictured above are the last three “E” models: E4, E5, and E6 – as you can see they barely had a torso and were mainly just legs)

In 1993, the “P” series was unveiled by Honda (pictured above are the 3 [left to right] prototype or simply “P” models of the Honda robots: P1, P2, and P3). The P1 was the first prototype that had upper limbs and a torso – the first Honda robot that had “man-like” features. It can turn switches on and off, grab and turn doorknobs, and pick things up. In December of 1996, the P2 stunned the world with its realistic movements and its much improved appearance. It relied mostly on wireless technology so aesthetically it was a breakthrough model – it also had its very own built-in computer, radio, battery and motor drives. P3 had the most improvement aesthetically and looked much more like the ASIMO.

In 2000, Honda engineers unveiled the very first version of ASIMO (pictured above compared to its predecessor, the P3 (left)). ASIMO (or Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) was much smaller and more lightweight and looked so much more human – a true humanoid, if you may. Aside from the obvious “human-friendly” aesthetic advancement, the ASIMO was far more sophisticated than any of its predecessors.

The latest version of ASIMO can walk at a rate of 2.7 kilometers per hour; running at double that speed. It is powered by a lithium ion battery that takes 3 hours to fully charge and lasts up to an hour of operation.

Just two months ago, ASIMO showed off one of its newest capabilities – it climbed stairs at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. The showcasing was part of the Japan Culture and Hyperculture festival.

And now, in its effort to advance human acceptance of humanoid help, ASIMO will be conducting a song for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in an already sold out concert this coming May 13.

“It’s an interesting marriage of technology and culture,” said Jill Woodward, spokeswoman for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. “He’s being programmed [to conduct the orchestra]. The musicians will have to follow him and do what he says. It will be interesting to see if he has, shall we say, a different take on the piece.”

ASIMO is undoubtedly showing kids from all over the world the enormous possibilities with mathematics and science and spur interest in the subjects. Now with its involvement with music, it will reach out to even more people and showcase a flexibility that could only ignite further interest.

ASIMO was hired to get kids to also like music and join the symphony’s Power of Dreams music education program which aims to teach inner city children to play stringed instruments. Honda Motors Co. has already donated more than $1 million to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for this music education fund.

“ASIMO inspires kids in technology and now he’s interested in music,” the spokeswoman added.

ASIMO will be conducting the song “Impossible Dream” from the musical “Man of La Mancha.” Afterwards, it will also present a Lifetime Achievement award to world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma - who is actually the main act of the said concert. Then, the day after, ASIMO is also scheduled to demonstrate its conducting abilities to the local music students from the Detroit School of Arts, the Detroit Renaissance and Cass Technical high schools, and other Detroit-area music schools. Yo-Yo Ma will also give a master class to a select group of students.

If you want a glimpse of ASIMO, the robot is a permanent attraction for Disneyland’s Innoventions. Several times daily, there are 15-minute demonstrations in the Honda ASIMO Theatre.

ASIMO also has its own DVD. It stars in “Step to Safety with ASIMO,” a pedestrian safety program that teaches children safe ways to cross the street.

ASIMO has gone a long way from its humble two-legged, torso-less beginnings. We hope to see more in the future and we can’t wait till the next ASIMO ability comes out.