MOTOROiD
The Tokyo Motor Show begins later this month, and Yamaha is showing four concept models it will have on display, a couple of which are quite futuristic. Here is what Yamaha has to say about the show and each of the concepts:
IWATA, October 12, 2017 – Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) will participate in the 45th Tokyo Motor Show 2017 (Organizer: Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc.) to be held at the Tokyo Big Sight from October 27 (Fri.) to November 5 (Sun.) (Preview Day on Oct. 27). The theme of the Yamaha Motor booth will be the “Yamaha Future Garage: Resonate the Future,” and the booth will be located in the venue’s East Hall 7.
A total of 20 models—including six world premiere models and four Japan premiere models—will be on display. These will include electrically power-assisted bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, Leaning Multi-Wheelers (LMW), and an automobile design concept model. We will also have technology exhibits like an experimental machine to explore concepts for creating new forms of personal mobility in which the rider resonates harmoniously with the machine, and an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot. The booth will offer an experience of the “ever-growing world of personal mobility” unique to Yamaha, a specialist in small vehicles for personal mobility.
Overview of Main Display Models
MOTOROiD (Reference vehicle)
In order to bring people new experiences of Kando,* this experimental machine employs artificial intelligence and explores the feasibility of concepts for creating new forms of personal mobility in which the rider resonates harmoniously with machine. MOTOROiD’s development concept was an “Unleashed Prototype,” and it is capable of recognizing its owner and interacting in other capacities like a living creature. By undertaking these kinds of development challenges, Yamaha is aiming to acquire technology for creating new value for our customers.
*Kando is a Japanese word for the simultaneous feelings of deep satisfaction and intense excitement that we experience when we encounter something of exceptional value.
MOTOBOT Ver. 2
MOTOBOT Ver. 2 (Technology exhibit)
This autonomous motorcycle-riding robot combines the latest in motorcycle and robotics technology, and is helping pioneer previously unexplored realms of motorcycle R&D. Focusing on operation of the machine from a rider’s standpoint without making any fundamental modifications to the motorcycle itself, MOTOBOT is now capable of riding at high speeds around a racetrack. The project goals set for 2017 were to clear the milestone of hitting over 200 kilometers per hour on a racetrack and to challenge MotoGP star Valentino Rossi to a battle of lap times. The complex underlying technologies and knowledge gained from the MOTOBOT project will be applied toward creating new value in our existing businesses as well as toward pioneering new businesses.
MWC-4
MWC-4 (Reference vehicle)
Looking to expand upon the possibilities for personal mobility stemming from motorcycles, this Leaning Multi-Wheel (LMW) vehicle has two wheels front and rear and was developed under the concept of “Half-Sized Mobility.” The MWC-4 is powered by an electric motor equipped with a range-extender and uses attitude-control technology, giving it a ride that feels like nothing else and a level of comfort not found with a conventional motorcycle. This is all expressed with styling inspired by the features of both motorcycles and musical instruments.
YPJ-XC
YPJ-XC (Reference vehicle)
This model is a new proposal for our YPJ Series that brings new value to electrically power-assisted bicycles (e-bikes). Based on the YPJ-MTB Concept model exhibited at the 44th Tokyo Motor Show in 2015, the YPJ-XC mounts our latest PW-X drive unit and is much closer to a production-ready model. In addition, three more YPJ Series models will be on display, all mounting the PW-SE drive unit highly acclaimed in Europe for more power and a larger capacity battery: the YPJ-ER “crossover” (multi-purpose) road bike, the YPJ-EC flat-bar road bike and the YPJ-TC touring (trekking) bike.
See more of MD’s great photography:
I’m glad Yamaha invented a robot-riding motorcycle. Finally, a device that can ride and enjoy my motorcycle for me while I stay at home and stare at screens.
Motobot ver.2
Is the “robot” riding this motorcycle even necessary? My guess is that the bike could do this without the robot. Would Rossi feel better if beaten by a robot on a motorcycle or a bike with with a random real person just hanging on for the thrill? How much would you pay to do a few laps at track at speeds that the best rider in the world cannot match? I see a business opportunity here…
All motorcyclists have the fantasy of riding on the pillion of their own bike, don’t they?
I would venture to guess that the robot has several purposes for Yamaha that make good business sense. First, robotics and AI programs are vital for large industrial groups. The future of business will require real depth of knowledge in these areas, and Yamaha is investing in their future. A robot that can master something as complex as riding a motorcycle must have enormous potential. Any computer system with the capacity to learn and process information from several inputs simultaneously must be cutting edge. Second, this robot is almost certainly being used for data acquisition for motorcycle development. Humans are not very good at quantifying information like damping rates or lean angles, so a robot that can integrate all the available information from riding a motorcycle could be very useful in understanding all the factors involved in riding. I don’t see how that could be a bad thing.
So did that challenge actually happen or is it scheduled for 2017? Would be fun to know the outcome if it did.
Outside the box. But maybe something like this will inspire young people to become involved in motorcycling. The interest isn’t there currently.
I do not like the powered bicycles, people get them and then treat them like a bicycle and not like the small displacement scooter that they are. Some have zero training in motor vehicles, let alone motorcycles. These are the people that do or come close to running people over with them as they use sidewalks and other pedestrian areas not meant for a vehicle with a motor. When they put a motor on these they should instantly be treated the same as a small scooter, not all require a license in the US but they are road vehicles not allowed on the sidewalks cops would never let you do that with a traditional scooter why are these then allowed?
I don’t know where you live, but where I live it is illegal to ride any motorized vehicle on a sidewalk designated for pedestrian use. The responsible use of motorized bicycles should be encouraged as an alternative to less efficient vehicles. To prohibit them because some riders may use them irresponsibly or illegally would be overly restrictive.
re: “I do not like the powered bicycles”
+1, as a purist i say cleanse them all with fire.
Motorized bicycles are bicycles, not mopeds. This is established federal law.
If you think they are mopeds or scooters, then you haven’t ridden them and don’t understand them. The vast majority of them produce only up to 250 watts of assist (you must pedal, or the bike won’t go) with a maximum assist speed of 20mph. Many states have laws on their books defining electric assist bicycles, with California and 6 other states adopting a new, 3-type scheme that also addresses high-speed (up to 28mph) e-bikes. These laws define where the three types of bikes may and may not be used in those states, for instance, high-speed bikes cannot be used on segregated bicycle paths, roadside infrastructure (bike lanes on roads) only.
There are many places where conventional bicycles aren’t allowed to be ridden on sidewalks. In that vein, e-bikes should be no different.
These are useful, efficient transportation that when adopted in meaningful numbers, greatly relieve traffic congestion. They’re also great exercise for people who wouldn’t accept a conventional bike.
Great post and so true.
Every e-bike hater I have met changes his tune after a quick spin on mine.
The bicycle is the most efficient form of transportation. The biggest issue is hills suck. Add a little juice to overcome that problem and voila a pretty much free method of transport at surface street speeds.
By the way you don’t need an e-motor on a bicycle to go 25mph and run over pedestrians either.. perfectly possible on a standard bicycle. That’s a rider problem not a bike problem.
Rossi better up his game with this motoroid on deck
what do you think that motobot guy/gal/thing weighs?
MOTOROiD, that’s what I get from to many hours in the saddle.
+1. What he said.
Acid induced hallucinations of over paid designers.