Japan's iconic robot Asimo held its ninth birthday party in Tokyo on Saturday. Surrounded by about 200 fans and friends, the 1.3 metre (4.2 foot) tall, 54 kilo (119 pound) Asimo was welcomed at the Honda headquarters, the same place where it was first unveiled nine years ago. Asimo's name is an abbreviation of Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility. It was a development over the larger and heavier P3 models that preceded it. And as it ages, compared to its earlier versions, Asimo is now faster, more agile and generally more versatile.The robot's parents, including Honda Executive Chief Engineer Masato Hirose, hope the robot grows up to be a useful member of cyber-society. Japan's third-biggest auto maker, known for its cutting-edge robot technology, is believed to have spent hundreds of millions of dollars in trying to create the perfect humanoid robot that one day make replace humans in, at least, simple chores.
