Is the key to ensuring that self-driving cars don't run over pedestrians or crash into telephone poles a humanoid robot behind the wheel? A group of researchers from the University of Tokyo believes so and present their argument in a technical paper recently published this week.
The researchers, one of whom advises Toyota, x.com/KKawaharazuka/status/1800453023493484846″>developed and trained a “musculoskeletal humanoid” He called Musashi to drive a small electric car across a test track.
Equipped with two cameras that act as human eyes, Musashi can “see” the road ahead, as well as the views reflected in the car's side mirrors. With his mechanical hands, he can turn the car key, pull the parking brake and turn on the turn signal. And, thanks to his non-slip “feet,” Musashi can press the accelerator or brake pedal.
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After “teaching” Musashi how to use the car's steering wheel by feeding it raw sensor data, the researchers managed to get the robot to turn a corner at an intersection while respecting traffic light signals, they say.
But there are caveats.
For one thing, Musashi only cautiously lifted his “foot” off the brake pedal to turn the corner instead of stepping on the accelerator. This was the result of technical limitations and an abundance of caution, the researchers say, but as a result, the turn took about two minutes.
Musashi did Use the accelerator in a separate experiment, the researchers say. But he had trouble maintaining a constant speed, depending on the slope of the road.
There is clearly work to be done. Fortunately, researchers say they are up to the challenge and have plans to develop a next-generation robot and software. Perhaps decades from now, Musashi will be behind the wheel of his next taxi in Tokyo.
