Robot that can ride bike unveiled

Sci/TechLast Updated: Tuesday October 04 2005 16:46 GMT

Scientists in Japan have developed a tiny robot that can ride a bicycle. Murata Boy, which weighs just 5kg and is 20cm tall, can travel at 76 cm per second and is controlled by a wireless computer link. Engineers said the most difficult part of the design process was getting Murata Boy to balance on the bike. They solved the problem by installing special sensors on the robot, which allows it to judge its angle and speed, and then make balance adjustments. Click here to find out more about robots "The whole point of developing the robot which rides a bicycle is to show the technology of balancing in the environment, where keeping your balance is tough," said project engineer, Shigeki Fukunaga. Murata Manufacturing revealed their new robot at the 2005 Combined Exhibition of Advanced Technology near Tokyo on Tuesday.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4300000/newsid_4308800/4308808.stm