Tokyo 2015: Yamaha’s cheeky robotic motorcycle rider challenges Rossi

Despite the breathtaking advancements computers and robotics have taken in this silicon age, there are still a few tasks that are best left to us humans, at least for now. Like driving a car or riding a bike. But thanks to companies like Tesla Motors, Google - and even Apple – working feverishly alongside established carmakers, it is only a matter of time before humans are fully removed from the whole equation of driving and commuting. And if autonomous driving is on the horizon, can autonomous riding be far behind? Not if Yamaha can help it.

At the ongoing 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, Yamaha took the wraps off the Motobot, an autonomous robot that can ride motorcycles. The humanoid, which combines Yamaha’s robotics and motorcycle technology, is part of an R&D effort to make a robotic rider that can operate an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack driving up to 200 km/h. However, Yamaha did not disclose the top speed the robot has been able to achieve so far when announcing its new creation. 

With the Motobot, Yamaha hopes to use what it learns from the robot to help improve rider safety systems.

"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," Yamaha said in a statement. Motobot is also part of Yamaha's research efforts toward better rider safety, it said.

"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," the release added.

In the Motobot’s promotional video, the robot issues a tongue-in-cheek challenge to multiple world champion Valentino Rossi. As a childhood picture of Rossi comes on screen, the robot, using a digitized boy's voice, says: "I am improving my skills everyday, but I'm not sure if I can even beat the five-year-old you."

Motobot makes it clear that it's gaining on Rossi — and the rest of humankind: "I am not human but there has to be something only I am capable of. I am Motobot. I was created to surpass you."

Suddenly, Skynet doesn’t seem that very far-fetched, does it? Be afraid, humans, be very afraid!