February 6, 2003
Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd.
Last evening, the general membership of the Philolexian Society,
Columbia University's student organization dedicated to improving
the rhetorical skills and literary awareness of its members, voted
to name Asimo the official intelligent humanoid robot of the society.
We make this designation in recognition of the outstanding contributions
to American literature made by Honda in promotion of Asimo. Even
the elite membership of the Philolexian Society can only aspire
to such grace as evoked in your description of the robot: "Asimo
is easy to operate, has a convenient size and weight, and can
move freely within the human living environment, all with a people-friendly
design."
New Asimo Walking Technology would allow the Philolexian Society
to exist more easily in the human living environment. Allowing
Philos of the future to work in harmony with people while avoiding
obstructions on their own may seem a daunting task, but with Asimo's
advanced technology and design, Philos of all ages could approach
upon yon podilectern with unprecedented poise.
Stability in response to sudden movements also proves of great
importance to Philolexians. We Philos must be eternally ready
not only for such quotidian disturbances as angry business students
outside Uris Hall and aggressive old ladies wielding grocery carts,
but also disruptions of the more stealthy sort. Asimo's steadfast
reliability in the face of such challenges as a human-sized tree
branch on the bench with the order to disprove its existence would
doubtless prove indispensable to the Society.
I have been charged with the duty of informing you of this designation,
which we hope you will deem an honor. Though the Philolexian Society,
established in 1802, is Columbia's oldest student organization,
and one of the oldest literary societies in the country, it has
never before seen fit to name an official intelligent humanoid
robot. The undeniable kindred spirit between your company and
our society, manifest in Asimo, drove us to break all precedent
in this case. We hope that it will also facilitate friendly contact
between us in the future. I thank you for your patience and wish
you a pleasant fall.
Surgam,
Xan Nowakowski
Nomenclaturist General