Prepare To Be Conquered: Honda Unveils Huge Asimo Robot Replica For Rose Parade

We might be only a few years away from total robot domination.
Honda has announced that a giant 49-foot tall version of its Asimo robot will be the featured player on the company’s float in this year’s Tournament of Roses Parade.
The replica robot will not leap from the float and end our lives, a la Gort, at least not this time. But how far away are we from having to worry about this guy, and others like him, stealing old peoples’ medication?

In front of the millions of viewers watching from around the world on Jan. 1, 2009, Honda’s float will evolve from an opening ceremony stage into an animated replica of Honda’s ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), standing about 12 times the height of the actual ASIMO humanoid robot. Honda’s float creation called “Hats Off in Celebration” will be completed with natural materials like lettuce seed, rice, carnations and strawflower. The float will be joined by the Prairie View A&M University Marching Band, a past participant in the Honda Battle of the Bands which features the music programs of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. A few members of the band will ride on the float, which will be immediately followed by the entire marching band. In addition, during the parade the FCX Clarity pace car will be accompanied by the Honda Super Cub motorcycle, the first model sold in the United States.

“Honda always brings a great amount of innovation to the Rose Parade and what a fantastic way for the company to kick off their 50th anniversary in the U.S.,” said Bill Flinn, chief operating officer, Tournament of Roses.

Big-ass Asimo is green all the way. Even the float, made from seeds and plants, is recycleable, and will be ground up for mulch after the event.
At least when the robots take over (and the will), they’ll be eco-friendly.
Honda Tests 49 Foot Robot! [Business Wire]