Honda’s Remarkable New TV Ad with ASIMO

11 Comments for “Honda’s Remarkable New TV Ad with ASIMO”

1. Invader_Stu | December 19th, 2006 at 1:06 am
   

   I saw that ad this week when I got back to England

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2. claudia | December 19th, 2006 at 2:09 am
   

   how cute it is

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3. Lisa | December 19th, 2006 at 1:37 pm
   

   I kind of felt sorry for the robot… i don’t know why. It looked so lonely.

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4. cyberbilly | December 20th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
   

   It’s my opinion that when we see something familiar, we respond to it emotionally, maybe even subconsciously. This clip gets me when he shakes the raindrop off. Not something you’d expect of a robot. So I think it represents the wonder of discovery in all of us. It is also peaceful. The robot moves with an almost zen-like quality. Bottom line- emotional response to an unexpectedly universal human experience. I wish I could return to that child-like quality of wonder…

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5. Andrew Tingle | December 20th, 2006 at 9:39 pm
   

   Claudia – I must admit, he is rather cute, isn’t he!

   Lisa – he does look very lonely, and exceedingly vulnerable – perhaps that explains the ad’s impact on me.

   Cyberbilly – I couldn’t agree more, I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. I too wish I could return to that child-like quality of wonder – though it does happen now and again.

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6. QUEEN20VT | December 31st, 2006 at 12:46 am
   

   I too saw the advert many times, but had to hunt it down online to show my boyfriend!

   I also started to shed a tear – but instead where he pretends to have wings when he looks at the plane – I could not believe such a simple advert could do that! I loved it, I think he is just so innocent and fragile you feel for him but dont know why! I want one!

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7. stephen schauer | January 4th, 2007 at 11:53 pm
   

   Trading completely on it’s pathos, I attribute the power of this image to a handful of discreet devices. The pathetic affectation robot’s body language is endearing. The voice and message over by Garrison Keillor is inextricably tied to a recognizable, comfortable, warm, american story-telling style. I also think that this even begins to tiptoe into the Uncanny Valley. The viewer is allowed to empathize with a robot, since his identity is far enough removed from reality. Had the robot’s identity been too humanistic it would have completely repelled the viewer.

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8. Johan | February 8th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
   

   I love the way it “says hi” to the astronaut costume and waits some moments before taking the huge steps. It’s absolutely stunning how Asimo moves.

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9. Jeremy | February 19th, 2007 at 11:54 am
   

   Although I’m not moved to tears, I do get a “goose-bumps” feeling when he goes face-to-face with the spacesuit. One of our greatest achievements meets another, with a beautiful symmetry. The future-fan in me whoops with joy.

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10. James | September 3rd, 2007 at 1:50 am
    

    I felt the same, I recently re-watched this in a discussion of our favourite Honda ads.

    I’m so glad I’m not the only one who shed a tear… I can’t explain it either. Asimo is the toddler of robotics, so curious and naive… yet so… ohh I wish I had one. I wish I was on the development team.

    The ad makes me so happy, it gives me goosebumps and a lump in my throat. Such an amazing thing humans have created, it makes you proud to be alive in this age.

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11. Andrew Tingle | September 3rd, 2007 at 5:10 am
    

    Hi James,

    Thanks for taking the time to comment – much appreciated.

    Curiously it appears that (what I believe to be) the actual makers of this ad linked to this post and could not understand the feelings it inspired (in not just me, it would seem).

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