LP Lotion: Disneyland Says Hello to Honda's ASIMO at Innoventions
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On June 1, 2005, a small crowd gathered in Innoventions in Disneyland to witness the debut of Say Hello to ASIMO, a new presentation in the Honda ASIMO Theater. As cameramen jostled into position and people gathered in the wings, a countdown began on overhead monitors. The twenty minute video included a number of trivia questions about ASIMO and the Audio-animatronics of Disneyland. Among the facts included was the meaning of the name ASIMO, which is an acronym for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.

As crowd settled in, the sprightly strains of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah filled the air as Disneyland Resort President Matt Ouimet was introduced. Entering the comfortable living room set, Matt said, "Welcome to the Honda ASIMO Theater... I had the opportunity to meet ASIMO in January, and the one thing I was struck by at that time was how much Walt Disney would have liked ASIMO. The idea that you can take innovation and creativity and mix it together to create something that's as special as this robot is something I think people are really going to enjoy here."

He went on to thank Honda for their participation in the Disneyland Resort, noting their sponsorship of the new Remember...Dreams Come True fireworks show. He also lauded Honda's sponsorship of 2005 Grad Nights, which would welcome 130,000 students over course of eight nights. "And those are an interesting eight nights," Matt noted with a chuckle.

"But now, today, we get to invite ASIMO here to his new home here in Innoventions." The Honda ASIMO Theater occupies the space that formerly held both the GM and Segway exhibits. The set is entirely new, but filled with homages to the building's original tenant, the Carousel of Progress. Framed photos of the Carousel family adorn the walls, and a large windo offers a distant view of Walt Disney's own conception of EPCOT. After speaking briefly about Innoventions, Matt Ouimet introduced Jeffrey A. Smith, Honda's Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications.

Smith shook hands with President Ouimet, and said, "I am really excited to be here today at Disneyland to share in this historic occasion, the premiere of Honda's "Say Hello to ASIMO." He discussed ASIMO's two year tour of universities and engineering facilities. Smith noted the partnership with Disneyland saying "A wonderful opportunity came to combine Honda's cutting edge technical innovation with Disneyland's unique gifts of story telling and entertainment."

Smith explained that Innoventions is an ideal showcase for ASIMO, saying "One of the challenges of presenting ASIMO is that most people have become so accustomed to computer graphics and special effects that when they see ASIMO on television they wonder, ‘Is this real?' Well, what you're about to see isn't science fiction. It's real science."

Honda's motive in developing ASIMO since 1986, he went on to explain, was to help humans. Honda was logically in this field, he said, as they have always been in the business of enhancing human mobility. And he stressed importance of making ASIMO accessible, even cute, in the belief that this was the key to acceptance.

Smith went on to say, "In 2001, the Honda Corporation adopted a new global theme we very proudly call ‘The Power of Dreams.' He concluded by saying, "Now, as you experience ASIMO, we encourage you to dream of what is possible. And what better place to do that then here at Disneyland, where dreams come true."

As Smith exited to a round of applause, music filled the air, the lights lowered, and a video presentation began with the words, "Robots have been a part of our imagination for longer than you might think." Through graphics and narration, a brief history of robots was delineated, touching on the ancient Egyptians, the coining of the term "robot" by a Czech writer, and Walt Disney's own fascination with robots, both in film and Audio-Animatronic technology. As images of familiar figures showed on screen, narration stated that Disneyland had always been "a welcome home for mechanical creatures of all kinds."

The modern era of robotics stressed their use in industry and technology. This lead into a section detailing the development of ASIMO, and the special challenges of creating a robot that could walk. The video included information about ASIMO's starring role in an educational DVD, Step to Safety with ASIMO," part of a pedestrian safety program that teaches children safe ways to cross the street.

At the conclusion of the video, a woman bustled onto the stage and introduced herself as Sarah McGuire, welcoming all to the McGuire household. As she sat down at her computer, she confided, "I see you've caught me studying up on what will soon be the newest addition to our family, ASIMO."

She spoke of various reasons they were welcoming ASIMO, mentioning that her husband was confined to wheelchair. As she spoke, she kept glancing at the front door, until there came the inevitable delivery notice. She stepped across the room, opened the doors with a flourish and exclaimed, "It's here!" A large, silver crate filled the doorway. As a fanfare played, the front swung open to reveal the diminutive ASIMO, who stepped forward, into the room. Bathed in a spotlight, ASIMO moved across the room, to the center of the stage.

After greeting the crowd, ASIMO declared it was ready for the day. The first order of business for Sarah was a quick call to let her husband know that ASIMO had arrived. Appearing on the computer screen, Sarah's husband reminded her to order a pizza for the kids, and call her folks and let them know they would be babysitting that day.

Sarah next acquainted the audience with ASIMO. They learned that ASIMO was four feet tall ("The perfect size for switching on and off lights, opening and closing doors, working at tables, or moving things around inside the house, " Sarah explained.), and weighed 115 pounds. ASIMO swiftly calculated that it was 127 meters tall, and weighed 52 kilograms.

"Well... how fast can you walk?" was Sarah's next question.

"I can walk one mile per hour," was ASIMO's reply. (Adding helpfully, "That would be 1.6 kilometers per hour.")

Since ASIMO addressed Sarah by name, she next explained its sophisticated recognition technology. By taking and storing digital images, ASIMO can recall an individual and correctly attach their name. On the monitors, ASIMO's view of Sarah was shown, and then he turned his gaze on the audience. The monitors showed the crowd of photographers and cameramen that had gathered in the theater.

Next, Sarah discussed ASIMO's walking ability. As she demonstrated the degree of skill required by the average person (maintaining balance, moving body weight forward, while adjusting for any changes), ASIMO mimicked her movements. Sarah pointed out that ASIMO used sensors, motors, and computers. "ASIMO is equipped with Honda's Intelligent Walking Technology, known as I-Walk," she explained. In addition to taking small steps, large steps, and slowing down, ASIMO is the only robot who can walk backwards. After demonstrating his side stepping and following capabilities, Sarah then challenged ASIMO to balance on one foot.

This demonstration was interrupted by a phone call from the children, who were excited to learn that ASIMO had arrived. After the call, Sarah invited the audience to dance along with ASIMO, who demonstrated his ability at the hula and disco. The dance lesson was cut short by another call, this time from the grandparents. After hanging up, Sarah noted that this was the first time they were actually looking forward to coming over to look after the kids, speculating that ASIMO may be the real attraction.

"ASIMO, will you do me a favor," Sarah asked. "Will you please go up the stairs and look into the bedroom on your right and make sure it's ready for my mom and dad?" As ASIMO made his way to the stairs, Sara explained the technical challenges that face it. "The ability to climb a set of stairs with smoothness and precision is the culmination of over two decades of research and development," she said. After his successful negotiation of the stairs, Sarah went on to say, "Now if you thought the way up was difficult, it takes even more balance and precision to make it back down."

The audience applauded ASIMO's stair climbing ability. Sarah explained that it was time to get the robot ready to meet the family. She invited all to visit ASIMO's web site, asimo.honda.com. After he reminded her to order pizza, Sarah exclaimed, "You know ASIMO, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." As the curtain fell, familiar music filled the theater. It was the original soundtrack of the Carousel of Progress, complete with vocals by "father" himself, Rex Allen jr.

Say hello to ASIMO is a permanent attraction in Innoventions, scheduled for an indefinite stay. The demonstration lasts 15 minutes. More information about the presentation is available at asimo.honda.com.

Videos

Three video clips are available by clicking below.

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