Honda might be killing off the NSX and pulling its factory support out of various two- and four-wheeled racing events along with its long-running Honda Hoot gathering, but the automaker has managed to find the resources to invest in a five-story top hat-wearing Asimo float to lead the Rose Parade on January 1. In addition to the towering presence of Asimo, a hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity will pace the event, which moves pretty slow and therefore probably doesn't really need a pace car at all. No matter, this spectacle will be witnessed by millions of people tuning in to watch the 120th Tournament of Roses and the event will celebrate Honda's 50th year in the United States. In addition to the giant Asimo robot and FCX Clarity, which will be accompanied by a Super Cub motorcycle, Honda will be providing 166 Metropolitan scooters and 12 generators to power the event. As you may have guessed, Honda is a major sponsor to the Tournament of Roses and is hoping to win another major award, as it's done in 13 of the last 14 years.
While our blogging brethren over at Engadget are just relieved that Honda's ASIMO robot didn't attempt a global coup while conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra last night, we're more impressed it didn't fall over and crack its head open. (Seriously Honda, you don't think you're ever going to live that down, do you?) As we reported late last month, Honda's creepy little humanoid robot opened for Yo-Yo Ma in Detroit by conducting the DSO in a rousing rendition of "Impossible Dream". We're not sure what great advances in technology are demonstrated by having a robot conduct an orchestra, however, because we're pretty sure that an actual human conductor is just a glorified metronome. Check out some video of ASIMozart conducting after the break.
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This one's has to sting a little bit for the Big 3. On May 13th, Honda's coming to D-town with its ASIMO robot, which will (hopefully) walk on stage and open a special performance with Yo-Yo Ma by successfully conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a rousing rendition of "Impossible Dream". Not only do General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler LLC lack a humanoid robot that scares us every time we see it walk, dance, skip or run, but it certainly doesn't have one that can wave a stick in the air. Honda is working with the DSO to bring music eduction to kids and has gifted the big band with a $1 million donation to create The Power of Dreams Music Education Fund. As for ASIMO, we'll be impressed when he drops the baton and picks up Yo-Yo Ma's violin to play a flawless performance of Mozart's 4th. Well here's an Aw Snap! for Honda: Toyota already built that robot.
