A group of researchers at the University of Tokyo, including one who consults for Toyota, believe that the future of autonomous vehicles may involve a humanoid robot behind the wheel.
They have detailed their innovative approach in a newly published technical paper. The research centers around a “musculoskeletal humanoid” robot named Musashi, which has been trained to operate a small electric car through a test track.
Musashi’s Design and Capabilities
Musashi is uniquely equipped with two cameras that serve as eyes, allowing it to “see” both the road ahead and the reflections in the vehicle’s side mirrors. The robot is designed with mechanical hands that can perform various functions necessary for driving. These include turning the car’s key, pulling the handbrake, and activating the turn signal. Furthermore, Musashi has anti-slip “feet” that enable it to press the accelerator and brake pedals effectively.
The researchers have conducted several tests to refine Musashi’s driving capabilities. By feeding the robot raw sensor data, they taught it how to manipulate the car’s steering wheel.
One significant achievement highlighted in their studies is Musashi’s ability to navigate an intersection while adhering to traffic light signals. However, there are noteworthy limitations; for instance, when turning a corner, Musashi cautiously lifted its “foot” off the brake pedal instead of tapping the accelerator, which resulted in the maneuver taking about two minutes to complete. This cautious approach stemmed from both technical limitations and an abundance of caution on the part of the researchers.
In a separate experiment where Musashi was allowed to use the accelerator, the robot encountered difficulties in maintaining a consistent speed, particularly on roads with varying inclines.
Despite these challenges, the research team is optimistic and committed to further development. They have plans to enhance both the robot and the accompanying software, aiming to create a next-generation humanoid capable of more complex and reliable driving tasks.
Related News:
Featured image was created with the assistance of DALL·E by ChatGPT
2 minutes to complete a turn? So slightly faster than most Japanese drivers!