The news that's revealed by Yamaha at the Tokyo Motor Show
2015 is very special. This Shizuoka motorcycle manufacturer exhibits the
MotoBot for first time. Simply put, it is a rider robot that's designed to
handle two-wheeled vehicle in the circuit at high speed. Maybe in the future
this robot can race against MotoGP riders.
So far Yamaha seems still reluctant to reveal the details of
MotoBot. On the news page, Yamaha explains that the MotoBot carries humanoid
form (resembling human), and is assembled by combining motor technology and
robotics. The research and development team is trying to ensure that the robot
is capable of racing at speeds of more than 200-kilometer per hour without the
need to modify the motor and human intervention.
For controlling the complex movements on the bike, Yamaha
admits that the team requires highly accurate control system. And finally, the
making of MotoBot is not just an experiment, Yamaha wants this ambitious
project can improve the safety of driving through a sophisticated security
system and the rider-support. Interestingly, Yamaha also mentions the potential
to open a new business line.
For now MotoBot is not yet able to compete with the
professional riders. First of all, it should be helped by some people to slide
until it reaches a certain speed. Then the operator must supervise the
MotoBot's view remotely via the monitor. However, Yamaha Motor Ventures &
Laboratory has a big ambition: to challenge Valentino 'The Doctor' Rossi.
"I am improving my skills every day, but I am not sure
I can even beat the five-year-old you,” the voice says. “Perhaps if I learn
everything about you, I will be able to catch up... I was created to surpass
you," it warns.
Besides MotoBot, Yamaha also unveils 12 new products, three
of which are the reference vehicle, a bicycle, and ROV (recreational
off-highway vehicles).