Panasonic has put its EVOLTA line of alkaline batteries to the test and set a Guinness World Record for the second time. Its little “bot that could”, named 'Mr Evolta', has successfully completed the “24 Hours of Le Mans” endurance challenge powered on two AA EVOLTA batteries, giving Panasonic boasting rights to “the longest distance covered by a battery-operated remote-controlled model car”.
Sure, the traveling speed of 0.6mph (1kmh) was a little slower than those normally seen at France’s Le Mans circuit but this test was all about going the distance. Pedaling a miniature tricycle, Mr Evolta followed an infrared beam from a lead golf cart. The robot completed 5.6 laps of the circuit, which equates to 14.82 miles, over the 24-hour period.
Designed by Japanese robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi, this is not Mr Evolta’s first taste of the limelight. After Panasonic EVOLTA batteries became recognized by Guinness World Records as “the world's longest lasting alkaline battery” in January 2008, Mr Evolta was set to work to prove his endurance by climbing out of the Grand Canyon.
Panasonic is no doubt hard at work crafting that media-savvy little bot’s next PR stunt - perhaps a Saturday Night Fever-style endurance dance off featuring 'John Tr-Evolta'?
