Driverless cars are no longer a novel concept. Despite being a complex challenge, advanced technology and brilliant minds have almost perfected this innovation. These vehicles are designed to understand their surroundings and control the car without human intervention.
Now, scientists at the University of Tokyo, led by Dr. Kento Kawaharazuka, have taken this innovation a step further. They have developed a robot named Musashi that can drive a regular car. Musashi is a musculoskeletal humanoid robot designed to mimic the human body, enabling it to drive like any human driver.
Meet Musashi: The Humanoid Robot Chauffeur
Musashi’s design closely resembles the human musculoskeletal structure. It boasts 39 joints (excluding the hands) and 74 muscles. Each hand has five fingers equipped with pressure sensors, and additional sensors are placed in its feet.
Musashi can perform complex driving tasks, such as using the handbrake, switching the ignition key, pressing pedals, steering the wheel, and using indicators. Its eyes are high-resolution cameras connected to artificial intelligence systems, allowing it to recognize people in the wing mirrors, detect pedestrians crossing the road, and respond to changing traffic lights.
The Future of Robotic Drivers
Musashi represents a significant advancement in robotics and autonomous driving technology, areas still in early development stages. Currently, Musashi can only drive in a straight line, make right turns, and reach a top speed of just 3 mph. Dr. Kawaharazuka acknowledges that the robot cannot yet match the driving speed and handling capabilities of human drivers.
However, Dr. Kawaharazuka is optimistic about the future. He believes that one day, robots like Musashi will become versatile drivers, capable of handling various driving scenarios and potentially acting as robotic chauffeurs for non-autonomous vehicles.
