You're too late, Jeremy! Japan unveils a single-passenger robot car... and this one can drive itself

Hitachi revealed the Robot for Personal Intelligent Transport System

Robot uses GPS to carry passengers in city of Japanese city of T sukuba

Jeremy Clarkson recently unveiled the P45 allegedly the world's smallest car



When Jeremy Clarskon showed off his personally-designed robotic car on a recent episode of Top Gear it was described as the world's smallest.

But inventors in Japan have gone one better - developing a tiny car that can automatically take passengers from A to B without them having to do a thing.



Japanese tech conglomerate Hitachi today revealed its new Robot for Personal Intelligent Transport System (Ropits, for short) in the city of T sukuba in the Ibaraki Prefecture .

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Mini motors: Jeremy Clarkson's P45, allegedly the world's smallest car unveiled on Top Gear last month (left), and the new robot for Personal Intelligent Transport System revealed by Japanese firm HItachi (right)

Look ma, no hands! But passengers can seize control of the vehicle using a joystick in an emergency

Tomorrow's world: Autonomous, single-user public transport has long been predicted for the future Looking uncomfortable within the car's miniscule frame, Clarkson said: 'I’m just staggered that Ford, GM, Toyota, all of the automotive giants haven’t thought to make a car like this yet.'

The Japanese robot is equipped with GPS to allow it to find its way, as well as laser distance sensors to look out for obstacles and a gyro sensor to help it stay upright while negotiating uneven ground. Passengers need only specify their desired destination on a touch-screen map and the machine will automatically drive them there. Similarly, anyone who needs a ride will be able to call a Ropits vehicle from any number of computer-networked 'stops' dotted around the city. The vehicle is also equipped with 'active suspension' which controls each wheel individually to enable it to tackle curbs and uneven ground while keeping passengers comfortably upright.

Squeezed in: Clarkson hit a top speed of 34mph in the vehicle and was pictured overtaking static traffic, despite looking slightly uncomfortable

Lightweight: Passengers enter the Ropits vehicle by means of a front hatch