ASIMO was designed to be smaller than a human primarily to enable it to operate freely within typical human living spaces and to enhance its perceived friendliness and approachability.
Optimizing for Human Environments
The decision to make ASIMO smaller than an average human was a strategic choice to ensure its seamless integration into environments built for people. This design consideration allows ASIMO to navigate and interact with its surroundings without encountering size-related limitations.
- Navigating Living Spaces: A compact size enables ASIMO to move comfortably through hallways, rooms, and other areas commonly found in homes and offices, which are often designed with human dimensions in mind.
- Accessibility to Fixtures: Its height and reach are specifically tailored to access and operate standard human-centric fixtures and objects.
Enhancing People-Friendliness
Beyond functional considerations, ASIMO's smaller stature plays a crucial role in its social acceptance and interaction with humans.
- Approachability: A robot that is not overtly large can be less intimidating and more approachable, fostering a sense of comfort and ease for people interacting with it. This is vital for a robot intended to work alongside and assist humans.
- Perceived Safety: A smaller profile can also contribute to a perception of safety, as it appears less imposing than a larger, human-sized or even larger machine.
Functional Capabilities Enabled by Size
ASIMO's specific dimensions are not just for aesthetics or navigation; they directly enable a range of practical tasks crucial for its assistive capabilities.
- Operating Controls: Its size allows ASIMO to:
- Reach and operate standard light switches.
- Grasp and turn door knobs.
- Working at Surfaces: The design ensures ASIMO can perform tasks effectively at common household and workspace surfaces:
- Working at tables.
- Working at workbenches.
This thoughtful design ensures ASIMO can function effectively as a helpful assistant within the diverse and often confined spaces of human habitation.