futurescope:

Motobot Ver.1 – Autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot

Not sure if the (slightly) creepy robotic voiceover “I was created to surpass you. I’m improving my skills everyday. But I’m not sure if I can even beat the (…?). Perhaps if I learn everything about you, I will be able to catch up. Look, I can ride like this now. The way you ride is most beautiful and exciting. I am not human. But there has to be something only I am capable of. I am MOTOBOT. I was created to surpass you.” is appropriate. But the balancing and self-driving technology from Yamaha is staggering.

Yamaha 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. 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.

“New lines of business” sounds promising. Perhaps a groundbased long-distance high-speed deliverbot service? Similar to Pedl Co or Transweel? Or a efficient individual last-mile transfer? What about possible misuse of the technology? And would it not be better to call all autonomous objects (from the driverless mining truck in Western Australia to urban pods in Milton Keynes) “drones”?

Anyway, see the impressive action below:

[yamaha]