BMW'S NO HELMET VISION OF THE FUTURE
A VISION NEXT 100 MOTORCYCLE
John Newman
Many dream of it: the freedom to ride helmet free, the wind in your face. And if BMW Motorrad's vision of the future is anything to go by, we may all be doing just that sometime in the next 100 years. If we're alive to see it, that is.
VISION NEXT 100 looks at the possibilities in using coming technological advances. And it makes some interesting predictions...
SELF-BALANCING SAFETY, HELMET-FREE RIDING
The
VISION NEXT 100 motorcycle is called "The Great Escape". It uses self-balancing gyroscopes, which work even when the bike's at a complete stop. This is combined with rider assistive technologies which prevent collisions. The bike is so safe it could be ridden helmet free and protective clothing free.
A composite elastic frame, which slopes from the front to the rear, eliminates the need for suspension and forks. Because the frame has no joints, moving the handlebars will move the whole bike.
ZERO EMISSIONS
The horizontally opposed 'cylinders' are not part of an engine plant as they seem. Instead, they act as cooling components for some unspecified zero-emissions power delivery. BMW states its vision of the future is one of sustainable premium mobility.
AUGMENTED REALITY GLASSES
It's a minimalistic bike, which has no gauges. Instead, and in keeping with the futuristic feel, all information data goes through a multi-dimensional visor, which changes wherever the rider looks. Tilt down and you could get feedback from the bike, and a scrolling map. Tilt up for a clearer view of the road and computer assistance telling the rider where to aim the bike and what's around the next bend. A definite boon to safety.
IMPACT PADDING FREE
The exercise has been led by Motorrad Chief Designer, Edgar Heinrich. The team had consulted bikers about what they wanted from a concept design exercise such as this. Suggestions included the desire to wear lighter, more everyday clothing. Doing away with the heavy biker clothing and impact padding we have now become used to. This would be facilitated by the bike being able to stay upright, as well as intelligent safety systems. The gear worn by the rider will also have a hand in safety. Sensors are fitted in the suit, which can sense danger and vibrate to notify the rider.
The BMW Group Design Chief, Adrain van Hooydonk, said of the 'Vision Next 100' exercise, 'We wanted to think far enough ahead, but not so far that it's a cartoon or science fiction'.
What do you think about this new concept? Could you see yourself riding on one of these? Let us know by emailing
[email protected].
Comments
19/10/16 - Great until something flicks up off the road and hits you in head or face. No thanks BMW.
19/10/16 - The main reason for riding a motorcycle is the sheer pleasure of being in control of it yourself.
19/10/16 - Nice concept but I suppose the more techy things get the harder it is to fix yourself when something goes wrong, and given the British climate I'd stick with the full gear
19/10/16 - C**p !
19/10/16 - Works for me
19/10/16 - How does that get around the helmet law?
19/10/16 - Awful
19/10/16 - No safety device is going to stop t**ts pulling out in front of you, I'll keep my lid and protection thanks!!...
19/10/16 - very good point ,proven this afternoon when an old lady deemed it cool to wait till i was near ontop of her beofre pulling out right in fornt of me.
19/10/16 - if the t**ts are no longer driving the cars and the cars are self driving then there's no chance of that happening
19/10/16 - I want to test ride it . After my mate as doctored the brain in it : )
19/10/16 - na dont like it
19/10/16 - Dangerous advertising.
19/10/16 - Great in the rain...
19/10/16 - Don't like the colour
19/10/16 - s**t
19/10/16 - Sh**e !
19/10/16 - Flys hurt........that is all !
19/10/16 - Don't like it
19/10/16 - So wrong on so many levels, take a bus, what's the point?
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