Robot bicycles uphill; can pro career be far behind?

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Robotic cyclist Murata Boy has achieved a new skill, he can pedal uphill.

Shown here on an earlier S-curve balance beam run, the robo-cyclist achieved a new goal by pedaling up a 25-degree incline at the Ceatec electronics show in Japan this week, Digital World reports.

Sold as a very expensive toy in Japan, the Murata Boy uses gyro sensors to detect position and slant, an ultrasonic sensor to detect objects, and a shock sensor. A spinning flywheel in its chest keeps it from falling while stationary.

Now that Murata Boy can bicycle uphill, he's just got to work on his speed. Engadget reports that robot has increased his speed by 9% in the past year, but that's still only 1.34 mph.

Get that speed up, and he could replace Jan Ullrich on the T-Mobile team. Another advantage: WD-40 isn't on the WADA list of banned substances.


Permanent link to this article: https://www.bikingbis.com/2006/10/04/robot-bicycles-uphill-can-pro-career-be-far-behind/

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