Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Electronics manufacturer Murata has developed a bicycle-riding robot that can maintain its balance – on precarious beams and even when stationary – and even stop before it hits an obstacle.

The key to the abilities of “Murata Boy” is an ultrasonic sensor and in demonstrations it was able to traverse a curved 2-cm-wide beam without falling, as well as climbing steep slopes, even without a running start. Unlike people on normal bicycles, the robot can even cycle backwards.

Gyro sensors can detect the bicycle’s slightest tilt and compensate immediately by rotating a disk in the robot cyclist’s chest. Constant adjustment allows the robot to maintain balance on the bicycle.

Two ultrasonic sensors in the robot can detect obstacles and allow the bike-riding robot to stop before impact.

Other components include a shock sensor to help react to different road surfaces, a noise filter to filter out interference, an inductor to stabilize electric current and Bluetooth modules for sending and receiving control signals and sensor data. The robot can be controlled by an electronic wand.

Murata Boy is complemented by Murata Girl, a robot unicyclist that can maintain balance backwards and forwards and can even follow objects.