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Murata's cheerleader robots move around on balls and do it in J-Pop unison
It's probably the most Japanese thing I've seen in my first year of covering the country for Engadget: Robo-cheerleaders, barreling around in sync like some sort of Japanese girl "idol" group. In total, there are 10 Cheerleader bots (with two standby units), with light-up cheeks, pom-pom arms that look like PlayStation peripherals and glowing eyes. They glow; they lift their arms; they form ensemble shapes; and they are arguably the most adorable, Weeble-esque robots you've ever laid eyes on. Following the bicycling Murata Boy and the unicycling Murata Girl, here's the Murata Cheerleader and her nine sisters. They're about to dance in formation, all while balancing on a ball. Not only because they simply can, but also because this is how their parent company showcases its (often mind-numbing, let's admit it) sensors and components to both businesses and Joe Public alike.
Control your Murata Boy bicycling robot via Bluetooth
Taken your new Segway over any sweet jumps (in reverse) lately? While it's highly improbable that you have (at least intentionally), you can satisfy your cravings for ascending inclines in a safer, less direct fashion with Murata's not-so-sheepishly named Murata Boy. The robotic bicycler has made quite a few strides in performance since last year, and thanks to improved balance, gyro, and shock sensors, can now handle slopes and even thinner balancing beams with ease. Plus, it received a whopping 9% speed increase, bringing the top-end up to a mind-numbing 1.34 miles per hour -- though apparently it feels a helmet is still a necessity at that pace (gotta be a role model for the kiddies, you know). The real thrill comes from controlling the Tour de France-trainee via your cellphone; sporting a built-in Bluetooth module in its backpack, the Murata Boy wheels wherever you direct it, so long as it can handle the terrain. Sure to be just as popular in Japan as the Tickle Me Elmo eXtreme should be in America this holiday season, the Murata Boy will be released to the masses on October 3rd for an undisclosed price.[Via Impress]
