| on 31-03-2007 16:25 |
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Murata Boy, the cycling robot from Japan's Murata Manufacturing, has made it up a hill.
Before a large crowd of curious onlookers, the sensor and component
maker demonstrated the latest version of its robot at the Ceatec
electronics show in Japan this week. Developed to showcase the
company's sensors, the robot includes gyro sensors for detecting its
position and the slope of the terrain, an ultrasonic sensor and a shock
sensor.
It first appeared at last year's show where it cycled an s-shaped
curve. That may seem simple until you think back to the first time you
tried to ride a bicycle; balancing on two wheels is difficult enough
for humans. For robots, which have far fewer sensors sending
information to a less powerful brain, it's quite a feat.
To out-do last year's ride, Murata's robot cycled up a 25-degree
incline. The robot achieved the task in several demonstrations
Wednesday without a problem. Murata also showed the robot backing up
the bicycle into a parking space, and how the robot could be controlled
from a cellphone using a Bluetooth link.
The robot is about more than just technology. Sensors aren't
particularly sexy products and companies like Murata compete for the
attention of show-goers with the likes of Sony and Toshiba, who put on
glitzy stage-shows filled with shiny gadgets. Maruta's robot helped the
company attract Ceatec attendees and boost its brand-image.
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Last update: 31-03-2007 16:27
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