PUBLIC MARKS from decembre with tags scooter & robot

The RidRoid robot – a mash up of ride and android – has some useful smarts cooked in, being able to follow its user around between rides, or make its way to a meeting point on its own.The CanguRo uses LiDAR, a wide angle camera and distance sensor to help it navigate autonomously(Credit: Yusuke Nishibe). The CanguRo will automatically hit the brakes if it detects a potential accident, and rocks obstacle detection and avoidance smarts(Credit: Yusuke Nishibe) The CanguRo can also transform into a scooter-like transporter, raising the seat and lengthening the ride to 750 mm (29.5 in). It rolls courtesy of in-wheel brushless motors to the 12-inch wheels at the front and steers via the 10-inch chunky rear wheel. A top speed of 10 km/h (6 mph) and 0.93 Nm of torque isn’t going to win any races, but should get its rider to the lecture hall or board room in a relaxed state. The 64 kg (141 lb) robot ride doesn’t use a display to let the rider know the speed, but an ever quickening beat from built-in haptics located under the seat. A force sensor detects rider movement to auto lean into the turn, and the futuristic-looking smart scooter sends force feedback through the handlebars to indicate turning radius. It will automatically hit the brakes if it detects a potential accident, and rocks obstacle detection and avoidance smarts.