INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Asimo the robot makes new friends in Austria
September 02, 2010 14:19 EDT

LINZ, Austria (AP) -- Asimo the robot is making new friends in Austria.

Researchers are seeking feedback from visitors of a technology fair to help them make Asimo, Honda's battery-operated robot that looks like a 4-foot child in a space suit, more communicative.

Through an interactive game with volunteers, they're trying to understand if Asimo's gestures -- such as those conveying happiness or inviting people to come play -- make sense to humans.

William de Braekeleer, corporate communications manager at Honda Motor Europe, says the aim is to make Asimo's interaction with people as "harmonious" as possible.

Asimo's skills are already impressive. Not only can it run, walk on uneven slopes and respond to simple voice commands, it can also recognize faces with its camera eyes.

Honda has been working on robots since 1986.

--------

Online:

http://www.world.honda.com/ASIMO/

http://www.aec.at/indexde.php

INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES

Asimo the robot makes new friends in Austria

Iran stoning lawyer reunited with family

Uganda court charges 2 over deadly twin bombings

Bow and arrow used to send phones into Brazil jail

Recovering bubbly in Baltic Sea, divers find beer

Togo opposition leader claims police brutality

5 police officers killed by road bomb in Colombia

Slovaks observe day of mourning after mass killing

First Canadian commander of Space Station

US officers take up posts at Paris airport

BUSINESS NEWS

Stocks slightly higher

NEW YORK (AP) -- Stocks have edged higher after reports on housing, manufacturing and jobs indicated the economy continues to grow slowly.

CONSUMER INFO

SCIENCE/TECH NEWS

IN THE NEWS: APPLE SEEKS TO CONQUER TV -- AGAIN

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- It has already changed the way people listen to music and done much to change how people use their mobile phones.

GET THIS

BENTON BEARDS

BENTON, Mo. (AP) -- It will be a close shave -- and the men of Benton, Missouri, can't wait.