'Thinking' robot

Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' uses a Japanese sign language during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces,

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Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' uses a Japanese sign language during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot, pour a drink and even almost 'think' on its own.

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1/7 Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' uses a Japanese sign language during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot, pour a drink and even almost 'think' on its own.

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A robotic arm, being developed with Honda Motor Co.'s human-shaped robot 'Asimo' technology, tries to open a valve during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Honda President Takanobu Ito told reporters some of Asimo's technology was used to develop a robotic arm in just six months with the intention of helping with the nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan. The mechanical arm can open and close valves at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which went into meltdown after the March tsunami, according to Honda.

2/7 A robotic arm, being developed with Honda Motor Co.'s human-shaped robot 'Asimo' technology, tries to open a valve during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Honda President Takanobu Ito told reporters some of Asimo's technology was used to develop a robotic arm in just six months with the intention of helping with the nuclear crisis in northeastern Japan. The mechanical arm can open and close valves at Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant, which went into meltdown after the March tsunami, according to Honda.

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Honda president Takanobu Ito poses with the company's humanoid robot 'Asimo' after demonstration of the robot's new fuctions at the company's laboratory in Wako city , suburban Tokyo on November 8, 2011. The new Asimo can move without being conytolled by an operator.

3/7 Honda president Takanobu Ito poses with the company's humanoid robot 'Asimo' after demonstration of the robot's new fuctions at the company's laboratory in Wako city , suburban Tokyo on November 8, 2011. The new Asimo can move without being conytolled by an operator.

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Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' kicks a soccer ball during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot, pour a drink and even almost 'think' on its own.

4/7 Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' kicks a soccer ball during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot, pour a drink and even almost 'think' on its own.

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Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' pours the drink into a cup during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot, pour a drink and even almost 'think' on its own.

5/7 Honda Motor Co.'s revamped human-shaped robot 'Asimo' pours the drink into a cup during a news conference at the Japanese automaker's research facility in Wako, near Tokyo. Asimo can now run faster, balance itself on uneven surfaces, hop on one foot, pour a drink and even almost 'think' on its own.

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A Honda robot named 'Asimo' performs sign langage during a demonstration of its new fuctions, at the company's laboratory in Wako city, suburban Tokyo. The new Asimo can move without being controlled by an operator after its 'intelligence' and physical ability to adapt to situations was improved.

6/7 A Honda robot named 'Asimo' performs sign langage during a demonstration of its new fuctions, at the company's laboratory in Wako city, suburban Tokyo. The new Asimo can move without being controlled by an operator after its 'intelligence' and physical ability to adapt to situations was improved.

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A Honda robot named 'Asimo' runs at 9kmh during a demonstration of its new fuctions, at the company's laboratory in Wako city, suburban Tokyo. The new Asimo can move without being controlled by an operator after its 'intelligence' and physical ability to adapt to situations was improved.

7/7 A Honda robot named 'Asimo' runs at 9kmh during a demonstration of its new fuctions, at the company's laboratory in Wako city, suburban Tokyo. The new Asimo can move without being controlled by an operator after its 'intelligence' and physical ability to adapt to situations was improved.