Japanese company Murata Manufacturing created a cycling robot to showcase some of their various sensor technologies. The robot is equipped with four types of sensors: two gyro sensors used to detect angular velocity and inclination; an ultrasonic sensor to detect obstacles; and a shock sensor to detect rough surfaces. The robot is connected to a PC via wireless LAN connection for forward, stop, and backward type commands and he can follow pre-programmed paths. It's about 2 foot tall and can reach speeds of 30 inches per second and can even balance while at a complete stop. The video shows the robot driving down a thin balance beam at very slow speed without falling.
Perhaps some time further down the track we may see a Robotic cyclists' Tour de Japan ?
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