Flossie, the motorcycle test robot, is the first indication that we're all doomed, ... OK, maybe not, it's actually a Castrol developed robot used for testing motorcycle lubricants under all kinds of specific, extended and sometimes, extreme conditions. It has a self learning capability to get a feel for the clutch, gear change pattern and throttle response and it's totally oblivious to the noise and heat or cold of the test chamber.
Of course it just rides stationary motorcycles on a dynamometer, there's that whole vision and balance thing missing but, as technology marches on, you know it's coming.
I, for one, welcome our new motorcycle robot overlords.
Link: Faster and Faster via Engadget
Video below:
Tom says
July 20, 2009 at 10:55 amLooks great to me. Of course, I’ve actually spent time testing equipment in an environmental chamber at temperature extremes!
Spartandude says
July 20, 2009 at 11:09 amCool robot. Problem with an innovative solution.
I will only worry about these when they can imagine, design and build themselves. At that point I hope the new robot overlords will allow us wet apps to fill nostalgic roles.
Hawk says
July 20, 2009 at 11:56 amOMG …. Reminds me of an old girlfriend.
(The robot, not the commentator.)
DG says
July 20, 2009 at 12:45 pmNice Simpsons reference, Paul.
Claymore says
July 20, 2009 at 1:21 pmNow if Castrol gets bought out by a company named Cyberdyne Systems we might well be doomed!
Lewellyn says
July 20, 2009 at 2:12 pmAfter some further development soon available as an optional equipment for your new BMW. “100%-drive-assist”
SteveD says
July 20, 2009 at 2:23 pmFor those who only like to ride pillion . . .
Zac Hunter says
July 20, 2009 at 3:17 pmGhostrider and again
kneeslider says
July 20, 2009 at 3:27 pmZac, yep we covered Ghostrider way back when they were trying to make the competition here and here.
Like I said, the technology is coming.
FREEMAN says
July 20, 2009 at 4:18 pmYeah… but can it cook?
kim says
July 20, 2009 at 5:32 pmActually look like a fine idea, provided I can have my brain’s contents transferred to a crash-proof harddrive (in both senes of the word). No more worrying about pneumonia, loss of life or limb next time an idiot car driver decides not to see you, no expensive leathers or helmets.
On the other hand, my sex life will probably not improve, unless i do a full ‘Terminator’ style change.
Michael says
July 20, 2009 at 10:34 pmHonda already preparing for next season? (Pedrosa v2.0)
Bob Nedoma says
July 21, 2009 at 1:52 amRiding a bike, w/ or w/out a motor is not about lubricants, winning or power, it is about living in the moment. Miss something, you may not live to tell your grandchildren.
The robots don’t get that.
Marc says
July 21, 2009 at 2:29 amI only hope its not running on MS Windows
Benjamin says
July 22, 2009 at 12:21 amEpic lulz Michael. Pedrosa v2.0 FTW!
Although the robot is yellow, maybe they have stolen enough data from Rossi’s bike (Yamaha debuted new electronics recently) to emulate The Doctor – The only way Honda will ultimately reign supreme!
Ian says
July 22, 2009 at 8:48 amIt almost certainly has more personality than Pedrosa