While most people are still attempting to come to terms with the idea of driverless cars, Yamaha is pushing ahead with its plans to develop a robot-ridden motorcycle. The company unveiled a prototype of the Motobot, described as an ‘autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid’ at the ongoing Tokyo Motor Show this week. The robot rider attempts to mimic the way a human handles a motorcycle, down to the twist of the wrist required to open up the throttle.
A promotional video featuring the prototype took aim at nine-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi, declaring the Motobot’s aim of eventually matching his skill level. The initial version of the robot, which requires training wheels and travels quite slowly, is still under heavy development. Yamaha has stated that the finished article will be capable of riding an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at speeds greater than 200 kmph.
The Motobot, which has been built as a collaboration between Yamaha’s motorcycles and robotics divisions, will be employed primarily in improving rider safety and testing rider support features.