According to story in the Yomiuri Shimbun, Panasonic is planning to pit their diminutive Evolta cycling robot against the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit in France on August 7th.

The Evolta—named after the Panasonic AA Evolta batteries that power it—will try to lap the famed road course as many times in possible in a 24 hour period.

Panasonic is on a media blitz for their Evolta battery technology, and is attempting to gain some ground against popular battery brands like Energizer and Duracell. The Evolta was awarded a Guiness World Record for having the “Longest Lasting AA Alkaline Battery in a wide range of devices” in January 2008. In May 2008, the indefatigable Mr. Evolta also clambered up 1700 ft. on a rope at the Grand Canyon.

The Evolta is roughly the size of a shoe box, and is powered by two AA Evolta batteries. Created by famed Japanese robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi, the Evolta will rely on an infrared sensor to make its way around the Le Mans circuit. (Source: Digital Arts, Yomiuri Shimbun)