Honda’s Remarkable New TV Ad with ASIMO

Posted by Andrew Tingle on December 18th 2006 | 11 Responses

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.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLGk9Q49y7k]

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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Honda’s Remarkable New TV Ad with ASIMO

11 Responses/Trackbacks concerning
“Honda’s Remarkable New TV Ad with ASIMO”

RESPONSES

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

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

how cute it is
Response by 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.
Response by 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…
Response by 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.
Response by 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!
Response by 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.
Response by 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.
Response by 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.
Response by 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.
Response by 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).