BMW just revealed a self-correcting motorcycle you can ride without a helmet

BMW has developed a motorcycle which can correct a rider’s mistakes, compensating for incorrect movements. The claim from BMW which caused controversy, was that the rider didn’t need a helmet to ride this bike, as it would protect them from falling. However, this claim has been made without taking into account road debris such as rocks and dirt. Also insects can hit the rider’s eye at great velocity, possibly impairing vision. I believe that BMW’s mistake here was the way this technology has been marketed. If it had not been marketed as a replacement for a helmet, it would have not created such dispute. This technology is far from being established, since it cannot dodge vehicles and if impact was to occur the rider would still be flung off the motorcycle possibly ending in a fatality. Also removing the element of focus and control involved in riding a motorcycle, places the rider at greater risk of having too much dependence on these electronic aids. Shifting focus away from the road. Also sudden maneuvers performed by the bike in unpredictable weather such as rain or snow, can cause a loss of control for both the rider and the computer system. This type of technology is far from ready to be sold to the public, as it would be priced out of many people’s price range due to high development and production costs.

This type of technology is marketed towards the newer rider who would have previously found riding to be dangerous. This eliminates a large amount of variables which the rider would otherwise have to account for. Riders have to balance themselves on the bike, whilst controlling throttle and braking inputs in order to prevent speed wobbles and slides. This computer system removes the need for precise control of these inputs to allow of a presumably safer riding experience. Other road users can also benefit from this technology since it can slow the bike down incase someone turns into the lane ahead. Governments will be highly selective of this type of technology, considering the large amounts of mishaps occurring with autonomous cars. Placing many restrictive legislations which place a great barrier to entry for the manufacturers of this technology. Slowing down the development, at the cost of ensuring predictable road safety standards.

The IT systems used in this particular motorcycle are sensors such as accelerometers to measure speed, acceleration and the generated G forces, proximity sensors to sense incoming hazards such as pedestrians and other road users, cameras to utilize lane keeping technology, tire pressure monitoring systems to predict the amount of traction available at the wheels and gyroscopes to keep the motorcycle balanced on the road. All of these systems are controlled by a micro processor which receives the data input from the sensors to later output commands accordingly.