Yamaha Motobot (Photo : YouTube)
This year's Tokyo Motor Show just included Yamaha's introduction of Motobot, an autonomous robot motorcycle rider that can even twist the throttle to boost the two-wheeled vehicle's engine. The Japanese motorcycle maker is still upgrading the current version, which rolls along slowly on training wheels. However, it hopes the humanoid robotic rider will later burst around standard race tracks at 120 miles per hour (193 km/hr), and maybe challenge pro motorcyclists such as MotoGP racers
Yamaha's new robot is a work in progress. Its 1000cc R1M motorcycle still requires training wheels to prevent it from tipping over.
However, the main function of the motorcycle-driving robot will not be racing. It will test harsh conditions for functions such as motorbike safety systems, according to Engadget.
Yamaha's robotic technology could also have applications outside the motorcycle industry. The company released a short press statement stating that controlling the vehicle's complex motions requires several high-precision control systems.
It states that another goal of Yamaha's robot motorcycle rider is to apply current tech to its vehicles' support systems. It could be applied later to new businesses.
In 2004 the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge was a key point in the history of self-driving vehicles. The Ghostrider Robot team's entry, the world's first autonomous motorcycle, used a Yamaha dirt bike, according to GizMag. Although the motorbike did not qualify for the final race, it was influential in the fast development of autonomous vehicles during the past decade or so, including Yamaha's robot motorcycle rider.
The Yamaha Corporation was founded in 1887. It originally manufactured pianos and organs.
Here is a first look at Yamaha's Motobot:
