HERE’S a video of Yamaha’s freshly unveiled motorcycle riding robot – the Motobot, which is on display at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Yamaha describes it as an ‘autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot built around a fusion of Yamaha’s motorcycle and robotics technology.’
Clearly disinterested in spending some time on small capacity learner bikes, the Motobot rides a specially adapted R1M but Yamaha says it’s working towards developing it to ride an unmodified bike on a circuit at more than 200 km/h.
In the video, the robot tells nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi: 'I was created to surpass you.'
Better lose the stabilisers then.
Why is Yamaha doing this? The firm said in a press release:
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.
We're fairly sure this is how the plot from Terminator becomes reality.
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