Japan's Soccer Playing (and Human Helping) Robot Meets President Obama

Today in Japan, President Obama got a firsthand look at Honda's Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility (ASIMO) robot. The 14-year-old robot has incredible mobility and was designed to provide help to people who are in of need assistance daily.

In the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, Obama had the opportunity of playing soccer with ASIMO on Thursday. He was pleased that the United States and Japan recently renewed an agreement for technology cooperation.

"We saw some truly amazing robots - although I have to say the robots were a little scary," said the President in this USA Today article. "They were too lifelike. They were amazing."

On April 15, Honda introduced the robot's latest version on "Live with Kelly and Michael." ASIMO has the ability to run, climb stairs, hop, jump, balance on one foot, and transition between walking and running. The 4'3" and 110lbs. robot, first developed in 2000, runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Over the last 14 years, the robot's capabilities have become much more advanced, as it can recognize human faces, use Japanese and American sign language, and avoid objects that are in its way.

Older versions of ASIMO have appeared in the United States and impressed people from all over. It rang the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange, walked the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of the movie "Robots", and performed multiple times at Disneyland. So all of the futuristic robot and computer takeover movies might actually be occurring right before our eyes.

The mobility of the latest version of ASIMO is incredible, which you can see in this New York Magazine article. It can talk, as well. President Obama was impressed with ASIMO's ability to run, stating, "Wow, he's movin'!" The robot then replied, "I can kick a soccer ball too." ASIMO took a few steps back, paused and waited for President Obama to get ready, and then struck the ball in the air with its left foot.

You can read more about the ASIMO, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, on Honda's website.