Honda's Asimo robot enchants teenager suffering from rare disease

February 10, 2016: Honda Cars India Ltd (HCIL) helped realise a long-cherished dream of a teenager suffering from a rare disease, when he met Asimo, Honda’s advanced humanoid robot at its booth at the Auto Expo 2016.

Nihal Bitla, 15, who is suffering from progeria, an extremely rare genetic disorder, has a keen interest in robotics and had expressed a wish to meet Asimo, one of the most advanced humanoid robots. 

As a special gesture to the child and his family, who are based in Bhiwandi, Maharashtra, HCIL organised an exclusive Asimo show for them at its booth at the Auto Expo 2016. Asimo greeted Nihal and his family and performed a dance number on the popular Hindi song – ‘India wale…’ 

“I am elated to have this lifetime opportunity to meet my favourite robot,” said Nihal. “It was amazing to have spent time with him. I would like to thank Honda for giving me these precious moments of my life. It was a dream come true.”

Katsushi Inoue, president and CEO, HCIL, who met Nihal and his family at the Honda booth, said seeing the joy on his face when he met Asimo was worth the effort. This was the first time that a special Asimo show has been organised in India.

The much-loved Honda Asimo (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility), one of the most advanced humanoid robot with cutting-edge agility and intelligence technologies, is visiting India after six years.