THIS is the moment a “humanoid” goes for a short drive in a tiny hatchback – and does it perfectly.
The creator hopes that one day the robot could become a chauffeur although they admit this could take at least 50 years to be realised.
In the short, 40-second clip, the robot can be seen getting started and slowly pressing their foot on the accelerator before tentatively setting off.
It even waves at some pedestrians who are waiting on a corner.
The robot is then seen turning the steering wheel and manoeuvring around a pedestrian crossing.
The invention is still very much in the development stage as it only has a top speed of 5kmh and cannot go on public roads.
Most driverless cars work in a very different way to a human driver, utilising artificial intelligence and customised mechanical systems to directly move the steering wheel and pedals.
While this system might be more efficient and simpler than using a humanoid robot behind the wheel it is bespoke to each particular car.
The University of Tokyo’s Kento Kawaharazuka and his colleagues have designed a humanoid robot, named Musashi, which can drive a car in the same way as a human.
It is equipped with a human-like “skeleton” and “musculature” while its eyes are fitted with cameras and there are force sensors in its hands and feet.
Musashi uses artificial intelligence to work out what actions are needed to drive the car and react to events, such as a person stepping out in front of the car or traffic lights changing colour.
So far, the number of tasks the robot can perform is limited, including driving in a straight line or turning right, while travelling at 5kmh on non-public roads.
Kawaharazuka said: “The speed of the pedal or the velocity of the car is not high. Also the handling of the car is not fast compared to human beings.”
However, Kawaharazuka hopes that once the system has been improved it will be able to work in any car rather than just be limited to a particular brand.
He added: “I’m not looking 10 or 20 years in the future, but I’m looking 50 or 100 years away.
Jack Stilgoe at University College London said: “This study is potentially interesting for people developing humanoid robots, but doesn’t tell us much about autonomous driving.
“Self-driving cars don’t and shouldn’t drive like humans.
“The technology doesn’t have to rely on limbs and eyes so it can find other, safer, more useful ways to move through the world, relying on digital maps and dedicated infrastructures.”
Earlier this month, a Chinese automaker released footage of an AI robot making sure cars are safe to drive inside its factory.
The humanoid can be seen conducting safety checks in place of humans as part of Dongfeng Motor’s manufacturing process.
Earlier this year, BMW announced it was developing and testing general-purpose robots to enter its workforce.
The robots are being developed in partnership with a company called Figure, based in California, who are designing them for difficult, unsafe, or tedious tasks in the manufacturing process.
In February this year, a leading electronics company revealed it is developing car parking robots.
The brand – Bosch – will give electric car owners the option to have their car parked and charging via a flick of a button on their phone.
