Cute Japanese Robot Rides Bike, Plans Human Conquest
Posted in: Japan, R&D and Inventions, Robots, Today's Chili
Two arms, two legs, two wheels and one diabolical, merciless robot brain
It would seem that putting a robot onto a bike would be a pointless exercise akin to putting gas-powered horses before a carriage. But the impracticalities of this little Japanese bike-bots are easily outweighed by its charm.
Lest you think that this is just a remote controlled bike with a dummy perched on top, watch until the 45-second mark. Here you’ll see the little fellow take his hand off the bars to wave, and put both feet down on the floor.
The robot is called PRIMER-V2, and was built by Dr. Guero of the website AI & Robot. He pedals to move forwards, and he balances like a human rider, by turning into any falls. The balance in this case is provided by a PID (proportional integral derivative) controller which uses feedback loops to adjust for error.
However the PRIMER manages to stay upright, Dr. Guero has given us a valuable insight into how the robot apocalypse will inevitably unfold. It will come from Japan, and it will come — unstoppably — on two wheels.
Biped robot riding a bicycle [AI2000 via Kottke]
See Also:
- Old Hard Drives Get Sculpted Into Cars, Bikes, Robots … – Wired
- Choose Your Gift: A Bike Blender Or a Robot Maid?
- Terrifying Robot Bicycle Shed Can Eat Over 9000 Bikes
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