Androids wanted — humanoid robotic helpers needed to replicate people production on the jobsite and offer support in the increasingly-efficient applications of the future. It sounds like a job listing in some sci-fi newspaper, but it’s not necessarily the stuff of fiction, because companies like Honda are actually seeing those signs today.

While machinery operated by humans is the backbone of most construction sites around the globe today, automating the human functions of the workforce is a demand that’s being engineered now for the not-so-distant future. A leading technology in this robotic revolution is Honda’s humanoid creation, ASIMO.

Walking, running, climbing stairs and even taking direction from a person, ASIMO is the first generation of android helpers of the future. The first models of this robot were achieved in the 1990s by Honda (the leading Japanese manufacturer of outdoor power equipment and engines), but the latest generation of ASIMO goes even further with advanced mobility (and dare we say cutting-edge coolness). Honda’s ultimate ambition remains to develop a robot so advanced that it can genuinely help people such as those who lack full mobility, those working in environments too dangerous for humans and those hard-to-fill service jobs of tomorrow.

While we’ll admit that the YouTube videos of ASIMO’s occasional tumble are a little funny, most of the time we find ASIMO’s humanistic acrobatics a bit unnerving in their realism. So we decided to contact Honda and give ASIMO the old Q&A to find out what made “it” tick. NOTE: ASIMO doesn’t really talk, so we asked Honda PR to help us translate the insightful answers below.

CE:  Here’s an easy one for starters, ASIMO. What does the name ASIMO stand for?

ASIMO:  ASIMO stands for “Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility.”

CE:  Nice. Why were you developed ASIMO? Tell us your prime directive.

ASIMO:  ASIMO was created to be a helper of people. ASIMO’s height of 4 ft, 3 in. makes it the perfect size for helping around the house or assisting a person confined to a bed or a wheelchair. ASIMO’s size also allows it to look directly at an adult sitting in a chair or sitting up in bed for easy and natural communication.

CE:  One of your coolest talents is running. How fast can ASIMO run?

ASIMO:  ASIMO is able to run at a speed of 3.7 mph. The time with both feet off the ground when running at a speed of 3.7 mph is 0.08 seconds. Running in a circular pattern at a high speed was achieved by tilting the center of gravity of ASIMO’s body inside of the circle to maintain balance with the amount of centrifugal force experienced.

CE: That’s quicker than most of our staffers. You’re hired. What gives ASIMO the power to run like a robot with a mission?

ASIMO:  The new model of ASIMO is powered by a 51.8v lithium ion battery. ASIMO can operate for approximately one hour on a single battery.

CE:  What are some recent technological developments with ASIMO? What cool new features can you boast about these days? Don’t be shy.

ASIMO:  ASIMO is the first humanoid robot capable of human-like running. While running, ASIMO’s airborne time of 0.08 seconds approximates that of a running human.

Posture Control technology enables ASIMO to proactively bend or twist its torso to maintain its balance and prevent foot slippage and spinning in the air while running.

ASIMO can also move objects using a cart by maintaining an appropriate distance from the cart, making sure that its arms are not fully extended or its body is not touching the cart and can push the cart on the targeted course while maintaining good balance.

Autonomous Continuous Movement technology allows ASIMO to maneuver toward its destination without stopping by comparing any deviation between the input map information and the information obtained about the surrounding area from its floor surface sensor.

Enhanced visual sensor and force sensor technologies allow ASIMO to move in sync with people. ASIMO can give or receive an object, shake hands in concert with a person’s movement and step forward or backward in response to the direction its hand is pulled or pushed.

CE:  How is ASIMO controlled?

ASIMO:  ASIMO is controlled by a laptop computer or by a portable computer controller unit through a wireless network system. This permits more direct and flexible operation. A single operator can easily and fully control ASIMO’s movements.

CE:  Can ASIMO also be controlled by voice commands? ASIMO?

ASIMO:  ASIMO can comprehend and carry out tasks based on simple voice commands that have been pre-programmed into its onboard memory.

CE:  Can ASIMO recognize people and obstacles?

ASIMO:  ASIMO utilizes IC Communications technology to recognize people within its vicinity. ASIMO can also independently map its environment using its camera eyes and register stationary obstacles. ASIMO can store this data in an onboard map of its environment, then recall this data while walking in order to avoid these obstacles.

ASIMO can recognize moving pedestrians in its walking path and stop momentarily until these persons have cleared the robot’s path.

CE:  That’s mighty polite, ASIMO. That’s a pretty human emotion. How intelligent are you really?

ASIMO:  ASIMO’s intelligence lies in the technologies with which it is equipped, not in the ability to think or reason as a human.

CE:  We’ll take your word for it. Thanks ASIMO and thanks Honda.

Farm Machinery Manufacturers Expect 2008 Growth, Says AEM Outlook

North America’s farming future will require the latest in visionary equipment to meet its production demands in food, feed, fiber, fuel and everything else that plants and animals provide us. Ag architects from John Deere to Kubota are set to fill that demand for next-generation equipment in America and Canada in 2008.

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. and Canadian retail sales of tractors and combines are expected to grow overall in 2008, led by four-wheel drive tractors, according to the yearly agricultural equipment outlook report. Demand is expected to be generally positive for the majority of most types of agricultural machinery covered in the AEM survey (from tractors to field cultivators). AEM is the North American-based international trade group for the off-road equipment manufacturing industry, and it annually polls its agricultural machinery manufacturers on sales predictions for a variety of farm field- and farmstead-type equipment. These companies account for a majority of agricultural equipment sold in the United States and Canada, says AEM.

According to the survey, combine sales are expected to increase 3.8 percent in the United States and gain 3.6 percent in Canada. Sales growth is also predicted for all sizes of four-wheel drive tractors — up 6.5 percent in the United States and up 4.2 percent in Canada. For two-wheel drive tractor business in the United States, unit sales of machines in the 100-hp and over range are predicted to be strongest with a 3.4 percent increase, followed by essentially flat growth in other categories — an increase of 0.7 percent for units 40 to 100 hp and a decrease of 0.7 percent for two-wheel drive tractors under 40 hp. Canadian sales of two-wheel drive tractors are expected to be led by a 4 percent increase of machines under 40 hp. Business volume for tractors in the 40- to 100-hp range is predicted to be flat with a 0.7 percent increase, and sales of tractors with 100 hp and higher are anticipated to grow 2.4 percent. Each forecast in the AEM survey is the average of responses from companies in each product line, predicting industrywide expectations rather than individual company performance and unit sales rather than company profitability. The AEM ag industry outlook for 2008 covers 20 types of farm field and farmstead equipment.

For farm field equipment other than tractors and combines, the strongest growth in 2008 U.S. sales is predicted for planters, with a 6.5 percent increase, and chisel plows, with a gain of 5.3 percent. U.S. sales gains are also expected for field cultivators (up 4.4 percent), self-propelled sprayers (up 3.5 percent), disk harrows (up 2.8 percent), rotary cutters (up 1.3 percent) and farm loaders (up 1.2 percent).
The biggest decline in U.S. sales is foreseen in forage harvesters, with a drop of 4.5 percent. Slight drops in 2008 U.S. business are expected for windrowers/swathers (down 2.0 percent), box scrapers (down 1.8 percent) and rectangular balers (down 1.8 percent). Survey respondents predict essentially flat sales growth for round balers (down 0.5 percent) and mower conditioners (down 0.6 percent). For added info on the entire survey, AEM’s ag industry outlook will be available on the AEM Web site — www.aem.org — under the Industry Trends Section.

Caterpillar and Perkins Invest in Small Engine Production in China

From Boston to Beijing, diesel engines are giving contractors more fire power. Today’s diesel power plants fuel modern machinery into all types of hard-working earth moving applications all over the world — especially in the growing industrial giant of China.

Recently, Caterpillar and its subsidiary, Perkins Engines, launched a multi-year investment plan for the People’s Republic of China. Cat recently announced its intention to build state-of-the-art small and medium diesel engines in Wuxi — an old industrial city in the Jiangsu province, which roughly (and maybe oddly) translated means “without tin.” Because of its increasing development of late, Wuxi has been dubbed

China’s “Little Shanghai.”

The engine campus in Wuxi fits into Caterpillar’s comprehensive global engine strategy, and it is a key element in the rapid establishment of Caterpillar’s business model in China. Caterpillar has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the Wuxi National High-Tech Industrial Development Zone, outlining a significant multi-year investment to develop and manufacture Perkins and Caterpillar branded engines in the historic Chinese city. The first of the planned engine operations in Wuxi will focus on production of the Perkins 400 Series, the company’s three- and four-cylinder diesel engines.

“Opening this engine facility in China will further leverage the global reach of the 400 Series engines, which have become very popular with original equipment manufacturers around the world,” said Hans Haefeli, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the Industrial Power Systems Division, which includes the Perkins Engines business. “This new facility will make the 400 Series engines more readily available for original equipment manufacturers with operations in China and the Asia Pacific region.”

Perkins Shibaura Engines, a joint venture between Perkins Engines Co. Ltd., a Caterpillar company, and its long-time small engine partner, IHI Shibaura Machinery Corp., will manufacture the 400 Series Perkins engines in Wuxi. The engines will be sold primarily to OEMs in Asia that produce small construction, agriculture, turf and material handling machines as well as generator sets.

Caterpillar is also announcing development plans to manufacture medium-size diesel engines in Wuxi and plans to focus engine research and development in Wuxi for engines that meet the emissions requirements for Chinese and other customers.

“As the global technology leader in the production of clean diesel engines, Caterpillar is committed to establishing a major investment to manufacture these world-class and clean diesel engines in China,” said Doug Oberhelman, Caterpillar group president with responsibility for engines. “As Chinese customers face future emission reduction requirements, Caterpillar will utilize its technology leadership to provide machines and engines that will meet their needs, as well as enable sustainable development.

Letters to the Editor

The Previous CE Sound Off Questions:
What is your favorite brand and model of compact excavator? What type of dedicated digger would you prefer to operate every day? What is it that you like about that model, how is it better than competing units and what tips can you share about using your #1 choice in compact excavators?

Yanmar Mania

My favorite choice of mini excavator is the Yanmar ViO35. Out of several I have used in the past, this particular machine offers excellent breakout force, unsurpassed workability and no blind spots. The structural elements of this excavator allow it to do work other machines in its class would have trouble completing. I installed a hydraulic thumb and have completed many tasks including the mining of rocks out of a quarry, setting big rocks on a jobsite, pulling large trees down and holding them in the hydraulic thumb and other unique tasks that test the durability of this machine. The only tip I can offer is that by using the blade and bucket, heavy materials can be transported long distances. I have picked up heavy granite boulders this way and have moved them from the point of origin and placed them in their new home.

I would recommend this machine without hesitation.

Gary Price
Vermillion, Ohio

Complaints Department:

Photographic Safety First

I believe everyone in the equipment industry must be diligent in promoting the safe use of equipment. It is especially important in the compact equipment business because many times these owners and operators have no other equipment experience. When I read your August issue, I found some items that really concern me.

Your cover page shows a lady loading bales on a loader with a simple bucket with no backstop for preventing the bales from dropping off the rear of the bucket and on the operator. I realize these are small rectangular bales and not round bales but a 60- to 80-lb rectangular bale could cause a lot of pain if it fell on the operator. An operator can be backing up, raising the loader and inadvertently raise it too high and dump the bale backward. In this picture, the lady is trying to balance the bale against the beam of the loader; it is not even in the bucket. 

On page 7 you show the same issue again. Your back page shows a heavy draft load tied to the tractor well above the rear axle. Rear tip-overs are a reality. We continually tell operators to not tie at or above the axle. This again can be a dangerous situation. Thanks for your consideration of these issues.

Robert D. Davis
Engineering Product Manager-OEM Products,
Safety and Patents
AGCO Corp.
Hesston, Kan.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: Robert Davis is spot on in his concerns and we thank him for his insights. We strive to ensure Compact Equipment promotes safe operating procedures above all else.

In the future, we will double our efforts to triple check our photos for violations. We would also like to note that two of these violations mentioned are in ads.

Where Are the Rest of You? Represent!
Let your voice be heard. We had only one letter to the editor this month and we thank Gary Price, but we’d love to hear from the rest of you. Send in your letters for next month’s story and win free prizes!

Sound Off
Answer These Questions, Get It Printed and Win a Free Pair of CE Gloves and an Outerwears Pre-Filter

As Mr. Davis mentions in his good letter to the editor, safety is paramount when working around your chore tractor. What insightful safety tips can you share for our large estate owners and landscapers who use utility tractors on a daily basis? What safety concerns are important when working on implements, PTOs, loaders and all aspects of tractor usage?

We here at Compact Equipment are always trying to get our readers more involved with the magazine. We’re interested in communicating your opinions and interests, so we can make a better publication. In hopes of creating a direct dialogue with our readership, we’ll be asking a question each month in our Letters to the Editor department. If you send a response to the question above and it gets printed, we will send you a pair of Compact Equipment leather work gloves and a nice equipment pre-filter (courtesy of the fine folks at Outerwears) — along with an autographed copy of the magazine with your letter (signed by editors Keith Gribbins and Jason Morgan). Send your responses directly to kgribbins@benjaminmedia.com.