Honda P2 and P3

The P-series is a chronological progression of prototype humanoid robots as developed by Honda. The research conducted allowed the eventual creation of ASIMO, about which we wrote some time ago.

In 1986, Honda commenced the humanoid robot research and development program. Keys to the development of the robot included “intelligence” and “mobility.” Honda began with the basic concept that the robot “should coexist and cooperate with human beings, by doing what a person cannot do and by cultivating a new dimension in mobility to ultimately benefit society.” This provided a guideline for developing a new type of robot that would be used in daily life, rather than a robot purpose-built for special operations.

In December 1996 Honda stunned the world when it unveiled the P2, the most advanced humanoid robot ever built up to that time. It is considered the world’s first self-regulating two-legged humanoid walking robot. The torso contained a computer, motor drives, battery, wireless radio and other necessary technology, all of which were built in. Independent walking at 2km/h, walking up and down stairs, cart pushing, and other operations were achieved without wires.

The P3 is considered the world’s first completely independent two-legged humanoid walking robot (2km/h). The P3 was loaned to Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in 1998 to help kick start their Humanoid Robot Project. urther efforts were made to reduce size and weight, and improve dynamic performance and operability.

Development on the fourth prototype (P4) continued from 1997-1999, but was kept a secret until March 2010, when it appeared at the Motegi Twin Ring Exhibition Hall. It was the same height as the P3 at 160cm (5’3″) tall, but weighed significantly less at only 80kg (176 lbs). It also had 34 degrees of freedom (2 more per hand compared to the P3).Soon Honda would be ready to reveal a more fully optimized model that would abandon the prototype prefix.~

~Ola