Honda robots coming to CES 2018 [AUTO ROBOTIC.
Honda said Thursday it will use the Consumer Electronics Show in January to unveil its new 3E Robotics Concept. Standing for Empower, Experience, Empathy, the experimental technologies reflect the company's vision of a future where robotics and artificial intelligence can advance mobility, help people, and learn from human interaction to become more empathetic.
Honda released images of four devices that it says are part of the 3E Robotics Concept. They include an autonomous off-road vehicle equipped with AI and designed to support people in a broad range of work activities, including disaster recovery, plus a four-wheeled motorized chair concept designed for casual indoor and outdoor use.
The 3E family is rounded out by the lightbulb-shaped A18, which Honda describes as a "companion robotics concept that shows compassion to humans with a variety of facial expressions." That manages to sound incredibly sad, but we'll have to see what Honda has in mind for it beyond cheering up lonely people.
Separately, Honda says it'll show its Mobile Power Pack World, which includes a portable, swappable battery pack for electric vehicles and a recharging system that can be used in the home, for recreation or during natural disasters. It'll also display a battery exchanger concept that can store and charge mobile power packs, and its Honda Innovations unit will showcase new partnerships with technology startups.
