BMW Demonstrates Riderless Motorcycle at CES 2019
BMW Motorrad shows off a riderless BMW R 1200 GS at CES 2019 as a research platform for rider safety technologies.
BMW Motorrad demonstrates a riderless motorcycle at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. The autonomous BMW R 1200 GS can ride off, accelerate, corner, and slow to a standstill without any rider input. This impressive display highlights the current capabilities of self-balancing and autonomous two-wheeled technology.
Developed strictly as a research platform for future mobility innovations, the prototype is not intended for road use. Instead of serving as a consumer product, the motorcycle acts as a testing ground for advanced sensors and dynamic control systems. Engineers use the bike to push the limits of what autonomous hardware and software can achieve on two wheels.
The ultimate goal of this project is to enhance rider safety rather than replace the rider. The data collected helps develop technologies that assist riders in potentially dangerous situations. Additionally, the research makes motorcycles more adaptable to future autonomous driving environments where cars and bikes share the road safely.