Japanese companies have developed robots that can do many things, from building cars to assisting the elderly. Now, a leading electronics manufacturer has made one that can balance on a ball.
Engineers at Murata Manufacturing created the robot in the image of a cheerleader. It's 36 centimeters tall. Newly developed gyro sensors help it balance on top of a ball while moving in any direction. Company officials say the same technology could be used to make safer and more efficient transportation systems.
They showed off 10 of the robots performing a team dance and lining up in various formations. The machines use ultrasonic waves and infrared rays to exchange information. That lets them move as a group without bumping into each other.
Officials at Murata will put the robot cheerleaders on display next month near Tokyo at a trade show of IT and digital technologies.
◆in the image of ～をイメージして、～をひな型にして
◆show off 披露する
◆ultrasonic wave 超音波
◆infrared ray 赤外線
◆bump ぶつかる、衝突する
