[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/bmws-self-riding-bike\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/bmws-self-riding-bike\/","headline":"BMW’s Self-Riding Bike","name":"BMW’s Self-Riding Bike","description":"We are all by now familiar with self-driving cars and trucks \u2013 barely a couple of weeks goes by without another progress announcement from some company or other. So what next, a self-driving motorbike? Yes, daft as it might sound I guess it had to happen, and BMW is the company that has managed to get their prototype into the public eye ahead of the competition \u2013 meet the BMW R 1200 GS self-riding motorbike. A self-driving car is one […]","datePublished":"2019-01-11","dateModified":"2019-01-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/New-feature.png","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/New-feature.png","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/bmws-self-riding-bike\/","about":["BLOG","BMW","LATEST CAR NEWS","MOTORCYCLES"],"wordCount":525,"keywords":["bmw","BMW Bike","BMW Self-Riding Bike"],"articleBody":"We are all by now familiar with self-driving cars and trucks \u2013 barely a couple of weeks goes by without another progress announcement from some company or other. So what next, a self-driving motorbike? Yes, daft as it might sound I guess it had to happen, and BMW is the company that has managed to get their prototype into the public eye ahead of the competition \u2013 meet the BMW R 1200 GS self-riding motorbike.A self-driving car is one thing (it doesn\u2019t fall over when it stops moving) but a motorbike has just two wheels, making stability a much bigger hurdle to overcome. The magic is all hidden away in those panniers; various computers, sensors and GPS units that intelligently communicate with the steering actuator as well as the clutch and throttle \u2013 and if you\u2019re wondering about gravity taking over once the bike comes to a standstill, then a kick stand pops out automatically to stop this happening.Curiously, there is no self-balancing dynamic technology or stabilising gyros like a Segway has to make sure it balances and stays upright. The Segway uses such patented devices to enable the user to stay upright and control the unit by leaning forwards, backwards or sideways \u2013 but a Segway is in part battling with gravity rather than using gravity in the manner that a motorbike or bicycle does. A motorbike can change direction with minimal turning of thehandlebars through leaning. Leaning changes the overriding central gravitypoint (of the rider and the bike) in relation to ground contact. The result isthat friction on the inner side is increased, and the unit subsequently wantsto travel in a curve rather than a straight line and you turn. Travellingforwards, each side becomes balanced; the friction is even and creates what iscalled counterbalancing centripetal acceleration. I\u2019m no scientist, but I thinkthe upshot of all this is that you don\u2019t fall off.If your brain is starting to hurt trying to imagine a timewhen a self-riding motorbike would be a viable choice on our roads, then youcan stop there \u2013 BMW has no intention of putting this prototype intoproduction. You won\u2019t be seeing your neighbour setting off to work late stilleating a bowl of cornflakes, reading the paper or putting her (or his) makeupon in the mirrors. Like with the development of many other similartechnologies, it\u2019s all about thinking down less obvious paths \u2013 what could bethe benefit of such tech in other scenarios? It could be that this becomes asafety backup for example, though how that would quite work is not set in stoneas yet. We do have traction control and ABS on modern motorbikes of course(thank goodness) so self-driving technology might one day be able to sitalongside these safety options to help keep bike and rider safer in a suddenemergency. With just two wheels, such tech helps keep the motorbike uprightrather than just avoiding skidding as might happen with your averagefour-wheeled vehicle. Any addition to safety for the bike rider is going to bevery welcome. Images: topgear.com"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"BMW’s Self-Riding Bike","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/bmws-self-riding-bike\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]