Actually, I've seen several other running robots that are quite impressive, and ran much more aggressively than Asimo does.
However, most all of them were just "legs", and had no other functions. They were "running demonstrators" only.
Asimo is an amazing machine. I just wonder how much of it's tasks are independantly computed on the fly by Asimo, or at least by a server that runs Asimo via wi-fi, and how many are scripted. i.e. "Run forty meters, at speed X, then turn 90 degrees." etc. etc...
It did seem like Asimo was making it's own judgments and reacting in real-time in the portion of the test when it was holding hands with the woman and walking in circles. If you look carefuly, you can see it's head turning incrementaly as it scanned the path ahead, and measured it's pace visualy against fixed landmarks in the distance. Or at least, that's the impression it gave me it was doing. Even cooler if it was using force-feedback through it's hand and arm to judge the woman's pace.
It's my understanding that aside from a cultural predisposition, (anime etc.) Japan is so interested in anthropomorphic robots because of it's aging population. It's a race against time. Even if they conscripted everyone they could spare under the age of 20 into forced nursing care labor, they won't have enough people to care for the elderly without insanely high patient/caregiver ratios. They've got a great need for robots capable of carrying people, lifting in and out of beds, doing basic vitals checks, delivering meals, and interacting with "personality" via sophisticated chat programs to provide companionship.
