Combining motorcycles, robotics and technology, Yamaha revealed an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot at the 44th annual Tokyo Motor Show on Wednesday that can ride and handle a motorcycle at high speeds.
The Japanese motorcycle company unveiled the humanoid named Motobot in a promotional video that shows the technology in action. In a slightly creepy robotic voice, Motobot says it was created to surpass us on the track, as the video shows how it is improving its skills every day.
"Perhaps if I learn everything about you, I will be able to catch up," the robot says as it rides Yamaha's YZF-R1M racing motorcycle. "I am not not human, but there has to be something only I am capable of."
While little details are known about the robot, a short press release reveals that Yamaha is currently developing the technology to apply it to rider safety — although it would be interesting to see if it becomes the RoboCop for highway patrol in the future.
"R&D is currently underway with the goal of developing the robot to ride an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at more than 200 km/h [124 mph]," the release says. "The task of controlling the complex motions of a motorcycle at high speeds requires a variety of control systems that must function with a high degree of accuracy. We want to apply the fundamental technology and know-how gained in the process of this challenge to the creation of advanced rider safety and rider-support systems and put them to use in our current businesses, as well as using them to pioneer new lines of business."
Since Motobot is still in development, for now, he will keep his training wheels on.
Source: Yamaha
