Motobot, motorcycle-riding humanoid robot, Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., Yamaha R-MAX, Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan

[Airicist]

Developer - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (https://pr.ai/showthread.php?13016)

Autonomous Motorcycle-Riding Humanoid Robot to Best Rossi on the Racetrack
MOTOBOT ver.1 (https://global.yamaha-motor.com/showroom/event/tokyo-motorshow-2015/exhibitionmodels/mgp)


Vehicle Used: YZF-R1M

Reference vehicle (Export specification vehicle)

MOTOBOT is an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot that approaches riding operations from a human rider’s standpoint — with no modifications made to the motorcycle itself. The development theme is “Beyond Human Capabilities.” In general, robots are developed to specialize in a specific task and this typically allows them to surpass the capability of humans for that task. Utilizing this advantage, the end goal of MOTOBOT is to become capable of competing against Valentino Rossi’s lap times around a racetrack. The knowledge and highly advanced fundamental technologies gained from this challenge will be put to use in developing new products and creating new value.

What is MOTOBOT?
What makes the MOTOBOT project unique is its approach to completely automated operation. Unlike the current methods used for automobile self-driving systems, which have progressed in recent years, the aim is for a humanoid robot to operate a vehicle unmodified for autonomous use. Based on data for vehicle speed, engine rpm, machine attitude, etc., MOTOBOT will control its six actuators* to autonomously operate the vehicle. Going forward, technology for machine position recognition (high-precision GPS, various sensors, etc.) and machine learning will be utilized to enable MOTOBOT to make its own decisions regarding the best lines to take around a racetrack and the limits of the motorcycle’s performance, so that it can improve its lap times with successive laps of the track. From this project, we will be able to visualize data about human motorcycle operation, deduce the relationship between rider input and machine behavior, and then use the resulting know-how in developing vehicles for creating even greater Kando. Also, by altering MOTOBOT’s control programming and the shapes of its operating mechanisms as necessary, we anticipate it will also be adaptable to ride other vehicles like personal watercraft and snowmobiles.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/EzgJWwAx8Mo

MOTOBOT Ver. 1 / To ”The Doctor”

Published on Oct 27, 2015


The 44th Tokyo Motor Show Yamaha 2015 : Technology exhibit
Autonomous Motorcycle-Riding Humanoid Robot to Best Rossi on the Racetrack?MOTOBOT Ver. 1

MOTOBOT is an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot that approaches riding operations from a human rider’s standpoint — with no modifications made to the motorcycle itself. The development theme is “Beyond Human Capabilities.” In general, robots are developed to specialize in a specific task and this typically allows them to surpass the capability of humans for that task. Utilizing this advantage, the end goal of MOTOBOT is to become capable of competing against Valentino Rossi’s lap times around a racetrack. The knowledge and highly advanced fundamental technologies gained from this challenge will be put to use in developing new products and creating new value.

[Airicist]

Article "Yamaha shows Motobot motorcycle-riding humanoid robot (https://newatlas.com/yamaha-shows-motorcycle-riding-motobot/40090)"

by Mike Hanlon
October 28, 2015

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/wRweuMjbESs

Yamaha's motorcycle-riding humanoid robo

Published on Oct 29, 2015


Japan's Yamaha Motor Co showcases a motorcycle-riding humanoid robot, with developers saying the technology could one day present an alternative to driverless cars. Matthew Stock reports.

[Airicist]

Article "Meet The Yamaha Motobot: A Robot That'll Learn To Ride Motorcycles Better Than Humans (https://www.forbes.com/sites/matthewdepaula/2015/10/31/meet-the-yamaha-motobot-a-humanoid-robot-that-will-learn-to-ride-motorcycles-better-than-humans-can)"

by Matthew de Paula
October 31, 2015

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/1gdkL0RnhgA

Yamaha robot rides high-speed racing motorcycle - BBC News

Published on Nov 2, 2015


Yamaha Motors has revealed it is developing a robot designed to ride any racing motorbike at high speeds. The Japanese company unveiled a prototype at the Tokyo Motor Show. At present it is reliant on human operators, but in time the firm plans to have the android make its own decisions about the best course and speed to achieve the best race time around a track.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/UC56nleFKX0

Motobot: A Yamaha project

Published on Jan 13, 2016


On Jan. 6, 2016, Yamaha Motor and SRI International announced joint development of first humanoid motorcycle-riding robot. MOTOBOT is designed to ride like a person in order to aid development of future motorcycles, improve motorcycle safety, and push the limits of what is possible in design and performance. The end performance goal of MOTOBOT is to be able to beat MotoGP™ world champion rider Valentino Rossi's lap times around a racetrack.

At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, the Yamaha Motor/SRI Robotics team demonstrated how far humanoid robots have advanced in efficiency and performance, and how industry leaders such as Yamaha Motor can leverage robotics to solve business challenges, create competitive advantages and accelerate innovation.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/uupaD03gz1A

Motobot: A Yamaha Project (Clip 1)


https://youtu.be/OSpE2YX-yPc

Motobot: A Yamaha Project (Clip 2)


https://youtu.be/48x5v_simNQ

Motobot: A Yamaha Project (Clip 3)


https://youtu.be/79r4AyZM9Xw

Motobot: A Yamaha Project (Clip 4)

Published on Jan 13, 2016

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/4dUb5T7DU-Q

MOTOBOT meets The Doctor (Valentino Rossi)

Published on May 18, 2016


The MOTOBOT autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot finally meets Valentino Rossi face to face. How does Rossi react to seeing MOTOBOT riding the YZF-R1M in person? One of the engineers behind the project explains MOTOBOT’s current development progress as it begins racetrack riding tests.

Valentino Rossi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentino_Rossi) on Wikipedia

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/mafJmMGGOXk

MOTOBOT Episode 3: Racing the Clock

Published on Oct 24, 2017


MOTOBOT Ver. 2 – The 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017
(Technology exhibit)
Combining the latest in motorcycle and robotics technology, MOTOBOT Ver. 2 is an updated version of our autonomous motorcycle-riding robot and is capable of circulating a racetrack on its own. After the debut of MOTOBOT Ver. 1 in 2015, its hardware and software for autonomous riding were repeatedly reviewed and revised, leading to the creation of Ver. 2. Then in September 2017, one of the project’s milestones was reached as MOTOBOT successfully hit speeds exceeding 200 km/h. MOTOBOT then attempted to better the lap time set by MotoGP star, Valentino Rossi. What was the result and what is Yamaha aiming for in the future?

Motobot vs Rossi (https://global.yamaha-motor.com/showroom/event/tokyo-motorshow-2017/exhibitionmodels/motobot)

facebook.com/motobotvsrossi (https://www.facebook.com/motobotvsrossi)

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/TGcz2ZsH0aQ

The Story Behind the MOTOBOT Project

Published on Oct 24, 2017


The 45th Tokyo Motor Show Yamaha 2017 – Technology Exhibit

MOTOBOT is a humanoid robot capable of autonomously riding a motorcycle around a racetrack. In this video, we introduce the background to the project, the technology behind the updated MOTOBOT Ver. 2, and the future that Yamaha is aiming for.

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/BvsHwZ_Au50

MOTOBOT Ver. 2 circuit running via multi-screen

Published on Oct 29, 2017

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/YSf5xBY-AoM

The story behind the MOTOBOT project


https://youtu.be/a7oeehNvfZs

The story behind the MOTOBOT project / A closer look inside – Riding control

Published on Nov 3, 2017


The 45th Tokyo Motor Show Yamaha 2017 – Technology Exhibit

MOTOBOT is a humanoid robot capable of autonomously riding a motorcycle around a racetrack. In this video, we introduce the background to the project, the technology behind the updated MOTOBOT Ver. 2, and the future that Yamaha is aiming for.

[Airicist]

Article "Meet the motorbike racing robot (https://www.bbc.com/future/story/20180126-meet-the-motorbike-racing-robot)"

by Mark Piesing
January 26, 2018

[Airicist]

https://youtu.be/pIcuy3BmrGE

Thomas Low (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-low-3a760) talks about Motobot

Jul 28, 2020


Thomas Low is Director of SRI Robotics in Menlo Park, CA. In the first part of his interview they discuss how SRI worked with Yamaha to develop the world’s first fully autonomous robot to ride and race a factory-stock motorcycle, and why a human-shaped robot was the right approach to help make riders safer.