The last piece in the BMW’s 100 years anniversary puzzle was unveiled today in Los Angeles, in front of hundreds of journalists from around the world. After BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the fourth brand in the BMW portfolio – BMW Motorrad – presented their vision of future mobility, only this time, on two wheels.
BMW Motorrad’s VISION NEXT 100 is a marvelous piece of technology which looks half from the future and half from a Batman movie where our favorite superhero rides into the darkness of the night.
The iconic elements in the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 make it immediately recognizable as a “genuine BMW” and include the black frame triangle, white lines and classic, boxer engine forms. The bike itself, however, is powered by a zero-emissions solution. The black frame triangle of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 is a deliberate reference to the first ever BMW motorcycle, the R32, made in 1923.
The front is minimalist in design and enhanced with high-quality details. Integrated into the frame above the front wheel is a large metal reflector incorporating the two vertically positioned, U-shaped elements that make up the daytime running light.
In the middle of the triangle frame sits a style feature and historical reminder: the power unit. Designed and created in the image of the traditional BMW boxer engine, it actually consists of a zero-emissions drive unit.
BMW’s VISION 100 bike employs active assistance systems of the future which will also enhance stability and safety by automatically balancing the motorcycle, both out on the road and when stationary. Novice riders will benefit from additional guidance in all riding situations and from a bike that will never tip over. As we’ve said before, this car is genuinely interested to make riding safer for everyone.
And since technology is an important component of its design, BMW talked at length about the Digital Companion, their own interpretation of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The Digital Companion provides the situational information and active support the rider needs, while remaining in the background. The system though is constantly active and it works away unnoticed until required to issue an alert via the user interface or provide active assistance, for instance.
Unless the rider or circumstances require it, the Digital Companion remains silent. Information exchanges between rider and bike take place largely via the visor. This essentially consists of a pair of data glasses that extends across the wearer’s entire field of vision. As well as providing wind protection, it shows relevant data in one of four designated display areas.
While the concept is meant to be just a futuristic project, pieces from it will make its way into future products.
