Archive for October, 2010
Honda Unveils Latest Asimo Robot At Las Consumer Electronics Show
In California: Honda the worlds creator of the first ever ASIMO robot has one again made another breakthrough with their humanoid creation. Hondas latest ASIMO was presented at the Consumer Electronics Show CES in Las Vegas Nevada.
The new ASIMO has been upgraded and was given a streamlined of new design. Hondas ASIMO is now more agile and is capable of quick movements such as running nearly 4mph. Aside from the ability to run the humanoid robot was also provided with artificial intelligence capabilities to further enhance human interaction.
Jeffrey Smith American Honda Assistant Vice President was the one tasked of presenting the ASIMO during its North American Debut at the CES. And here is what he has to say about the ASIMO:
For the first time in North America were demonstrating this newest iteration of Hondas remarkable humanoid robotics technology. ASIMO now has a revolutionary ability to run and maneuver at unprecedented speeds Honda continues to further the development of humanoid robotics technology believing that one day ASIMO will be a helper to people in need.
The new ASIMO can much better interact with and carry out commands given by people and can more effectively perform numerous new tasks including moving carts and carrying objects. The primary advancements of the newest ASIMO include:
Enhanced human Interaction By providing ASIMO with the ability to recognize the surrounding environment through its visual sensors floor surface sensor ultrasonic sensor and by an IC Teleinteraction Communication Card1 ASIMO can more autonomously interact with people. Through the coordinated use of its eye cameras in the head and the force kinesthetic sensors on its wrists ASIMO can give and receive an object such as a tray. And by using these force sensors ASIMO can hold the hand of the person and move in sync with them.
Carrying objects using a cart ASIMO is now capable of handling a cart freely while maintaining an appropriate distance from the cart by adjusting the force of its right and left arms to push a cart using the force sensors on its wrists. Even when the movement of the cart is disturbed ASIMO can continue maneuvering by taking flexible actions such as slowing down or changing directions.
Running Through proactive control of ASIMOs posture while both feet are off the ground ASIMO can run at nearly 4 mph. In addition running in a circular pattern at a high speed was achieved by tilting the center of gravity of ASIMOs body inside of the circle to maintain balance with the amount of centrifugal force experienced.
The main objective of Honda in pursuing the development of the ASIMO robot is to one day create a robot that would have ability to assist those whose mobility are restricted and to replace those who are working in environments that are harmful to humans.
Facts on Honda
Honda is one of the leading producers in the world of various types of mobility products such as automobiles motorcycles and ATVs power products; topoftheline auto parts products like Civic tie rod end marine engines personal watercraft and light jet. Honda has started its North American operations in the year 1959 with the American Honda Motor Co. Inc. as its first overseas subsidiary.
At present Honda is employing 35000 associates and operates 13 major manufacturing plants. A great number of Honda products are designed and developed at Hondas US RD centers in Ohio LA and North Carolina. Honda spends 16 billion annually for parts and materials for its North American operations.
About the writer: James Russel grew up in Los Angeles and is 35 years old. He works as a marketing analyst for a supplier of automotive parts in the United States. On his spare time he loves to spruce up his vehicle.
Honda Throttle Body Spacers: Little Investments That Go A Long Way
Generally speaking the more air we can get into our lungs the more we can sustain physical activity. Athletes who live at high altitudes reportedly perform better compared to their sealevel rivals because they have bigger lungs. Conversely we can pass out when the air gets too thin; and we get tired easily if we smoke a pack or two a day. Essentially the same is true for cars. The more air you can get into your cylinders the more power you have to rip the road apart. However the less air your engine can inhale the lamer it gets!
Being a proud owner of a Honda you will be glad to know that you can optimize the high performance of your vehicle even further with a Honda throttle body spacer. Easily installed between the stock throttle body and the intake manifold the Honda throttle body spacer elongates the inlet so that incoming air can rotate freely and thus break up the air stream flowing to your cylinders. This lets the droplets of fuel to atomize more thoroughly in the engine creating a very fine air/fuel mist that is easily compressed and completely burned in the combustion chamber. This increase in engine efficiency results in tremendous gains in horsepower torque and gas mileage! What can be better than burning more road faster for less fuel? More than this installing a Honda throttle body spacer also makes your car more environmentfriendly since fuel burned completely produces less pollution.
Honda throttle body spacers are inexpensive investments that pay off huge in terms of increased fuel economy and absolute powerdriving pleasure. You can also combine your Honda throttle body spacer with other performanceoptimizing components such as the Honda header and the Honda cold air intake system to unleash the full potential of your Honda. Once youve installed your Honda upgrades do breathe deepyoure in for one exhilarating ride!
About the writer: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35yearold automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.
Honda Partnership Takes Northwest Tool Die Co. To 39th Year
There must be some connection between a companys name and its fate. Just take for instance the Northwest Tool Die Co. which could have been a casualty of Michigans troubled auto industry if not for Honda Motors.
The story goes this way; it was two years ago when the small tooling shop located just outside of Grand Rapids was getting ready to close down due to the large debt that has accumulated to almost 6.5 million and losing 11 million more money in when its largest customer the Tower Automotive Inc. had filed its won Chapter 11 case.
Luckily for Northwest Tool it was able to seek out a contract with Honda Motor Co. which eventually saved the tooling shop from closing down and helped it to reach its 39th year. Despite the Northwest Tools bankruptcy filing Honda has continued to give the tooling company work.
This continued business from Honda the maker of Honda fuel tank cap has enabled the Northwest Tool to finally double its staff to 83 workers and now is expected to reach 16 million this year. Anthony Chopp CEO of Northwest Tool Die said that they have the biggest influx of new customers on the time that they were on the verge of bankruptcy. But now with all the things happening to their company CEO Chopp said that they are still very fortunate.
Northwest Tool has been struggling to compete with other tooling companies overseas and 36 percent of Michigans tool and die shops have already closed down since there are not much business to compete on that according to the Center for Automotive Research.
Jay Baron President of CAR also said that even the global market is not enough to provide all the tooling shops available. They are only enough to fill half of the automotive tooling capacity. He also added “There’s no argument that our industry here makes great tools want great tools at lower costs. They want local quality at foreign prices. There’s the rub.” It really helps when an automaker invest on a local tooling shop.
A few years back Honda Motors has already chosen four North American companies that produces dies and molds for auto parts. These shops handle about 16 percent of Hondas tooling and the automaker is thinking of adding four more to its program by the next two years.
Actually dealing with local tooling companies cost more for Honda as compared to just importing tools from other countries that is according to Tim Meyers Senior Manager in Honda North American purchasing division. Luckily for tool companies like Northwest Tool Honda has this philosophy of buying parts where it produces vehicles so it doesnt have to worry about shipping the tools from overseas or shipping them back in case of defects.
Meyers also added “We’re trying to provide them some business stability so they can go ahead and make the investments to improve their competitiveness.”
Likewise the company is also asking its supplier Challenge Manufacturing to employ Northwest Tool in making dies for its shape parts for the Acura RDX and MDX. And just in case Northwest Tools didnt make it they have a backup plan that would supply them with their required dyed parts.
About the writer: Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.