Post 4

The topic of my first section is the Honda created robot ASIMO. This is a robot that has interested me since I was young as it was the first robot to take on the challenge of ascending and descending a flight of stairs. And while the logistics of how this was achieved may always be far too complex for me to understand, the evolution of the robot provides me with an interesting set of parameters, and the physical movement/ limitations of its movement create ideas for movement of my own. 

Personally I find limitations crucial to choreography. Without limitation the body sets into a comfortable routine and choreography will inevitably look repetitive without purpose. To minimize this I have created this grid displaying the key sections or ASIMO’s development and have begun to choreograph by abiding to the limitations shown in bold.

 

1986	Just legs. 5 seconds between steps. No use of arms or upper body, slow walks
1987-1991	E2 mimics human walk 1.2km/h. E3 3km/h. Faster walks, no upper body/ arm movement
1991-1993	First autonomous locomotion model E5. E6 autonomous control of balance when going up or down stairs, slopes or obstacles. Change in levels to suggest stairs/ slopes
1993-1997	First model with arms P1. Introduce arms, still no head movement
2000	ASIMO is born. I-Walk. Head movement is isolated from body
2002	“capable of interpreting postures and gestures of humans and moving autonomously in response” (Honda, 2020)
2005	“Full body coordination” (Honda, 2020). Full freedom of movement
2007	“More autonomous movement and task performance” (Honda, 2020)
2011	“capable of responding to the movement of people” (Honda, 2020)

My choreography began as improvisation that stuck to the above limitations, a difficult task as robotic style movements are not my default way of moving. However, coming out of my comfort zone could lead to more interesting movements and new ideas. Additionally I would normally choreograph a narrative piece, but taking inspiration from Rosie Kay whose work MK Ultra, amongst others, does not have a narrative I have also challenged myself to create an intriguing piece without relying on a narrative.

The links below show the opening section and the change in levels and some development:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lax0UFyLI2w

https://youtu.be/hoWkxE4jzEE

https://youtu.be/A3YOtFTINHE

 

Word count: 368

References:

Global.honda. 2022. Honda Global | history. [online] Available at: <https://global.honda/innovation/robotics/ASIMO/history.html> [Accessed 13 October 2021].

Youtube.com. 2022. Honda robot asimo at ces 2007 running stairs. [online] Available at: <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZofSYkI2oM> [Accessed 10 February 2022].