Honda plans self-balancing motorbike

It seems self-balancing motorcycles that can’t fall over are coming with Honda now the third company to unveil a working prototype.

BMW Motorrad unveiled its self-balancing Vision 100 Next “crashproof” bike at the Cologne Intermot show in October. They did not reveal how it works, but this video shows it in action.

It was shortly followed by Thrustcycle’s electric-powered GyroCycle employing a full-time gyroscope. Here it is in action.

Honda’s self-balancing bike doesn’t use gyroscopes like the Thrustcycle or a Segway.

Instead, they use their own 2012 Uni-Cub technology employed in their personal mobility devices.

When the Honda transforms from regular riding mode to balance mode, the forks extend the front tyre away from the rest of the bike.

They call it Riding Assist technology and it not only balances the bike, but like the Yamaha Motobot, it will also drive itself without a rider.

None of these prototypes is yet scheduled for production, but it is looking increasingly likely that they eventually will.

Many riders have questioned why you need a self-balancing bike or a robot bike that rides itself.

It certainly seems to take  much of the fun and talent out of riding.

However, the technology will open up riding to a lot of people who wouldn’t normally try it for fear of crashing.

And with the big swing on to automated self-driving cars and trucks, there may be a market for two-wheeled self-riding taxis and courier services.

Meanwhile, we’ll stick with balancing and riding our own bikes, thank you Mr Honda.

UPDATE: The Honda Riding Assist motorcycle won three awards at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas: Best Innovation, Best Automotive Technology and Popular Mechanics’ Editors’ Choice Award.