Hondas ASIMO comes to India

Company press release, September 8, 2003

New Delhi

Honda Motor Company Ltd., Japan, today demonstrated in India its unmatchable advancements in technology through the first-ever visit of ASIMO, the first walking humanoid robot. ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) is Honda's latest and most significant advancement in the pursuit of creative mobility.

ASIMO's visit to India has been planned by Honda Motor Company Ltd., Japan, along with its four Indian ventures: Honda Siel Cars India Ltd., Hero Honda Motors Limited, Honda Motorcycles and Scooters India Pvt. Ltd., and Honda Siel Power Products Ltd., which today, and would in future offer Honda's advanced and latest technologies in India through their respective product range.

During the month long visit to India, ASIMO would demonstrate its abilities and skills to interact with humans, and of its character of assistance and support to them. It would raise knowledge on the advancements being made, and planned, by Honda in the field of robotics, to the nation's wide audience, including children, academicians, scientists and the general public of India. During the period, ASIMO would also conduct special ASIMO shows; participate in school quiz contests, and robotics seminar.

Speaking on the momentous occasion, Mr. Brijmohan Lall, Chairman, Hero Honda Motors Ltd., said, "With an overwhelming presence of Honda in India through its four joint ventures, the ASIMO exemplifies Honda's advanced technologies which are available through the companies' current product offerings. ASIMO is an exponent and result of Honda's "Power of Dreams." It reiterates the four companies' continued commitment to offer the latest and most advanced products to the Indian customers."

ASIMO has redefined the boundaries of robotics research and study in the world by displaying its immense ability and skill. ASIMO is capable of interpreting the postures and gestures of humans and moving independently in response.

Enabled by new walking technology, Intelligent Real-Time Flexible Walking or i-WALK, considered a huge leap forward in the development of humanoid robots, ASIMO can walk with great amount of flexibility. When humans walk straight ahead and suddenly turn, before the turn, they shift their center of gravity. i-WALK features a predicted movement control that allows ASIMO to predict its next movement in real time and shift its center of gravity in anticipation. This new walking technology allows greater flexibility, making ASIMO's walk smoother and more natural.

Following 14 years of persistent and in-depth study and research by Honda engineers, ASIMO was created at Honda's Research & Development Wako Fundamental Technical Research Center in Japan. In addition to powerful computers and sophisticated software, ASIMO also represents years of research in other scientific fields like Mathematics, Physics - the study of motion and Anatomy - the study of the human body structure, to name a few.

ASIMO made its debut in the U.S., marking the 25th anniversary celebration of Honda Motor Company's listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2002. Since its launch, ASIMO has traveled to various parts of the world, including: China, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines etc., besides the USA and Europe.

ASIMO's people-friendly size of 4 feet height (120 centimeters) and 115 pounds (52 kgs) weight makes it perfect for helping around the house, especially for persons confined to bed or wheelchair. ASIMO's size has been chosen to allow it to operate freely in the human living space and to make it people friendly. ASIMO's eyes are at the same level as that of an adult's, when sitting on a chair. ASIMO also has two arms and hands and with a maximum walking speed of 1.6 kmph, it is enabled to perform tasks such as switching lights on and off, move objects, open and close doors, climb up and down the stairs etc. with a agility and grace.

ASIMO may soon find variety of uses in people's daily lives, such as bringing medicine to a sick person or carrying objects up a flight of stairs. Currently, ASIMO functions as a tour guide in museums and as a greeter in high tech companies in Japan. However, in the future, ASIMO may act as a friendly helper at home, providing assistance to those who lack full mobility. ASIMO might also perform tasks that are dangerous for humans, like fighting fires or handling toxic wastes, immensely improving life in a human society.

As a commitment to keep moving ahead with a "Challenging Spirit", Honda's research and development for ASIMO continues, moving closer to the day when these and other dreams become a reality. Honda's endeavor continues, to be a company, which has the power to dream, and the conviction to fulfill them, thereby becoming an entity that society would want to exist.

For further information, please contact:

Sanjeev Govil

Honda Siel Power Products Ltd

Mobile: 98111-52506