Honda’s Remarkable New TV Ad with ASIMO

Posted December 18th 2006 by Andrew

ASIMO You may or may not have seen this new advert from Honda featuring their awe inspiring Asimo robot but, if you haven’t then you’re in for a treat.

A little (probably too honest) background.

The first time I saw this was in a pub this weekend whilst I was supposed to be Christmas shopping but felt curiously drawn to a pint or two of liquid refreshment having flexed the plastic all morning and it had a rather odd effect on me as, for some strange and wholly inexplicable reason, I was shocked to feel a tear roll down my cheek (no sniggering at the back please).

Why, I know not, but having seen it again later that evening it had the same effect again (only a little more pronounced) and I have no idea why. Either ways, this is a truly remarkable advert which needs to be seen and so I have hunted around and I am thrilled to have found that it is available on the net, and consequently I have been able to provide it below for your viewing pleasure.

Incidentally, if there are any budding psychologists out there who could offer some insight as to why this ad should have reduced a rather unemotional chappy such as myself to tears then it goes without saying that you’re more welcome to leave a comment. Alternatively, even if its effect on you has not been quite as drastic, I would be extremely interested to know what you think of the ad so please feel free to offer a comment below.

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Related Comments

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

I saw that ad this week when I got back to England
claudia | December 19th, 2006 at 2:09 am

how cute it is
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.
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…
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).