9. Honda Asimo attempts to walk up some stairs
Having a product fail to do the thing it’s supposed to do is not the only way to embarrass yourself during a keynote presentation, but it’s the most tried-and-true method. Even Steve Jobs fell victim to the dreaded demo fail at one point or another. No demo, however, has failed as simply and elegantly as Honda’s Asimo robot.
Contemporary viewers are numb to the sight of Boston Dynamics’ unnerving, acrobatic robot dogs engaging in complicated exercises. But in 2006, the presentation of Asimo walking up a simple set of stairs was an event. Unfortunately, no one remembers the historic first step that Asimo took into the future. No one remembers the second step either. But the third step, the one that was followed by a comically perfect fall has become legendary.
Asimo’s stiff, oh-shit-energy is at the heart of the slapstick, but it’s his little head swivel before ascending the staircase that makes this such a classic. It’s as if he’s turning to look you dead in the eyes before he completely blows it.
