Yamaha Motor unveiled an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot called “Motobot Ver.1” during the 44th Tokyo Motor Show on October 28-29, 2015.
The Japanese motorbike manufacturing company said its R&D is ongoing with an objective to develop the robot capable of riding an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at more than 200 km/h.
Yamaha’s goal for Motobot Ver. 1 is very high or a very serious challenge—it is equivalent to surpassing highly-skilled human motorcycle riders including MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi.
Yamaha Motobot can drive an R1M superbike
The Motobot Ver. 1 motorcycle-riding humanoid robot was shown by Yamaha Motor in a racing crouch position astride a 1,000cc R1M superbike modified with outrigger-mounted wheels.
The Motobot is already capable driving the R1M superbike. In a YouTube video, Yamaha showed the Motobot riding the superbike while an engineer monitors its performance.
The Motobot has a voice-over saying”The way you ride is both beautiful and exciting [referring to Rossi].” I am improving my skills every day, but I am not sure I could even beat the five-year-old you. Perhaps if I learn everything about you, I will be able to catch up.I am not human, but there has to be something only I am capable of.”
Yamaha aims to develop advance rider safety and rider support systems
Yamaha developed that Motobot by combining its motorcycle and robotics technology. Its primary objective is to create advanced rider safety and rider-support systems.
The Japanese motorbike manufacturing company said, “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.”
Yamaha wins 2015 MotoGP Manufacturer’s title
Yamaha recently bagged the 2015 MotoGP Manufacturer’s title when Jorge Lorenzo’s won 2nd place at the Grand Prix of Australia in Philip Island. The company recorded its 37th title, the 14th in the premiere class at the Australian Grand Prix earlier this month.
Kouichi Tsuji, a general manager of Motorsports Division, MotoGP group leader at Yamaha, said, “We are delighted that we get to celebrate Yamaha taking its 37th Manufacturers’ World Title in the Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.’s anniversary 60th year. Since its founding, Yamaha has always been striving to bring every Yamaha rider the feeling of ‘Kando’; a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.”
