Culture

Honda's Asimo robot keeps on learning (pictures)

The humanoid bot can run, climb stairs, kick balls -- and even knows sign language. He stopped by the New York Auto Show to show off his latest moves.

James Martin

James Martin is the Managing Editor of Photography at CNET. His photos capture technology's impact on society - from the widening wealth gap in San Francisco, to the European refugee crisis and Rwanda's efforts to improve health care. From the technology pioneers of Google and Facebook, photographing Apple's Steve Jobs and Tim Cook, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, to the most groundbreaking launches at Apple and NASA, his is a dream job for any documentary photography and journalist with a love for technology. Exhibited widely, syndicated and reprinted thousands of times over the years, James follows the people and places behind the technology changing our world, bringing their stories and ideas to life.

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James Martin

April 17, 2014 1:06 p.m. PT

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Honda's humanoid robot, Asimo

He can run, kick a ball, climb stairs, and even serve drinks!

Honda's humanoid robot, Asimo, stopped by the New York Auto Show to show off his latest moves.

First unveiled in 2000, Asimo has undergone an upgrade, making him more useful -- and human-like -- than ever.

The updated Asimo, which CNET first reported on in 2011, showcases major technological advancements including increased motor skills and hand dexterity -- he even knows sign language!

CNET Update also took a closer look. Click here for a video or click on for more photos.

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Asimo greets the media

Asimo greets the media during the second press preview day at the 2014 New York International Auto Show Thursday in New York at the Jacob Javits Center.

Asimo -- short for Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility -- was designed to help people, potentially in cases of reduced mobility.

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Walking down the stairs

The new Asimo robot demonstrates its ability to walk down stairs at a news conference in New York Thursday.

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Bar tending bot

Honda's new Asimo Robot demonstrates its bar tending abilities at a demonstration Thursday in New York.

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Asimo and the new Honda FIT

Honda North America shows off its new Asimo Robot along with its new Honda FIT to the media during the second press preview day at the 2014 New York International Auto Show.

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Asimo dances

Asimo shows off his new moves at the New York Auto Show earlier this week.

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"Hello New York!"

"Hello New York! Thank you for coming today!" the humanoid chirped in English, in the recorded voice of a teenaged boy, at his US debut Wednesday in a Manhattan hotel.

Resembling a tiny astronaut, Asimo -- decked out in a white suit and helmet -- stands 4 feet 3 inches tall and weighs in at 110 pounds.

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Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility

Asimo was designed to help people, potentially in cases of reduced mobility. The first model was unveiled in 2000 after 14 years of research during which scientists studied human movements in an effort to replicate them.