Honda’s ASIMO is one of my bestest most favouritest things EVER (although thing seems too cold for something as humanoid as ASIMO)

The technology and the sheer human touches in the creation of ASIMO never cease to amaze me, I just think it / he is incredible, and utterly and completely delightful.

So it was even more utterly and completely delightful to see this video of ASIMO conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) - including world-famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma - in ‘Impossible Dream’

Now, I completely and utterly love ASIMO for being a phenomenal feat of technological engineering, with such amazing humanoid touches, but it’s also a fantastic example of Honda carving access into otherwise totally unexpected or unrelated spaces and areas, and building powerful brand associations in doing so.

This performance wasn’t just a one-off PR stunt though. Honda donated $1 million to the DSO to establish the ‘The Power of Dreams Music Education Fund’ as part of a 5-year partnership to promote and support music education for children - for whom musical education would otherwise be totally out of reach, due to lack of funding.

It’s great to see a brand idea actually being put fully into practice rather than just an ethereal strapline for an ad campaign…..and even better when it involves robots!

[via engadget]