BMW unveils self-balancing motorcycle of the future

Los Angeles

THE motorcycle of the future is so safe that riders can cruise without a helmet - all of the thrills with none of the danger - according to BMW.

On Tuesday, the German carmaker unveiled its Motorrad Vision Next 100, a sleek, self-balancing prototype that the company released as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations.

The zero-emissions bike has self-balancing wheels designed to stand upright even at a complete stop, stability that the company says will allow riders to forgo riding with a helmet.

"Its self-balancing system will help protect the rider at any time," said Edgar Heinrich, the design director of BMW's motorcycle division. "Any late reaction from the driver will trigger (the system) and the vehicle will balance out, " he said.

"In the future, motorcycle riders will be able to enjoy riding without protective gear," Mr Heinrich added.

The world's top maker of luxury vehicles has also premiered this year a futuristic BMW sports car with a flexible body, as well as a self-driving Rolls-Royce and an electric Mini model.

Company representatives said that riding without a helmet remains a fantasy for now, though. Many countries mandate the protective gear, and self-balancing technology is still in the developmental stage - if the latest concept vehicle becomes a reality, it is unlikely to be before 2030.

Despite its contemporary features the bike will not be fully autonomous, the company said. "We do not envision autonomy on motorcycles," said Mr Heinrich, as the driverless autopilot system has faced global scrutiny following fatal crashes in northern China in January and in the US state of Florida in May.

In September, a Tesla electric car crashed into a tourist bus on a motorway in northern Germany, after the driver who was the only one slightly injured claimed he had activated the autopilot system.

BMW aims to commercialise fully autonomous vehicles by 2021, a company spokesman said. AFP