49-foot tall ASIMO rolls into California

Although first and foremost a platform for humanoid robotic development, Honda's ASIMO (Advanced Step in Innovative Mobility) has increasingly found itself in a PR role in recent times - a World tour, conducting the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and a Disneyland stage show have all been on the agenda for the stair climbing, hand shaking bot. In its latest gig, a gargantuan 49-foot tall ASIMO float will greet onlookers at the upcoming Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

Twelve times taller than the actual ASIMO robot, Honda's parade float was revealed last week in an opening show rehearsal. It is partly made with with natural materials like lettuce seed, rice, carnations and strawflower which will be mulched afterward.

Honda will also provide the parade’s first-ever hydrogen-powered fuel cell pace car, the Honda FCX Clarity.

The 120th Rose Parade, themed “Hats off to Entertainment,” will take place Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2009 at 8 a.m. (PST).