Honda’s commitment to encouraging the growth of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education among young students is now bringing those concepts off the page and into the real world – courtesy of Honda Robotics. For the first time, students from Central Ohio schools had the unique opportunity to see real-world applications of many Honda’s latest robotics technologies last week at the Honda Heritage Center in Marysville, Ohio.
Students participating in programs from 15 different schools and career centers experienced a variety of products from Honda Robotics, including Honda’s state-of-the-art humanoid robot ASIMO, the UNI-CUB and the Walking Assist Device. These demonstrations were designed to show the students the practical uses of many of the concepts and practices that they are currently learning about in their courses of study. ASIMO showcased its balance and mobility by climbing stairs, kicking a soccer ball and dancing. We’ve had ASIMO in Malaysia a couple of times as well, although he’s hardly visited over the last decade or so. While ASIMO was a great development by Honda in the study of mobility and robotic integration, it lacked real world value- although what has been learned through ASIMO may soon be relevant.
In addition, the students learned first-hand about Honda’s commitment to improve mobility for those in need during a demonstration of the Walking Assist Device using volunteers from the audience and led by Honda R&D engineers. The Walking Assist is designed to support people with reduced walking ability due to injury or illness, or people with weakened leg muscles due to aging or other causes.
