The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle unveiled in the Iconic Impulses event, recognizing 100 years of BMW, on October 11, 2016 in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Getty ImagesThis concept motorcycle from BMW is so cool that you can replace your helmet with a pair of glasses. At least that's what the German brand claims.
There is probably more technology involved in the new BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100 than in a Batpod you saw in Christopher Nolan's Batman movies.
The motorcycle boasts of self balancing systems that can keep the motorcycle upright both while riding as well as when kept idle.
That's not all, it comes with a pair of glasses that scans the entire field of vision and gives feedback as well as make adjustments to suit the rider. The set of data glasses called the 'Visor' enables the bike to stay updated on the route and project relevant information to the rider.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle. Photo: Facebook/@BMWMotorradThe Visor can be controlled by your eye movements and hand gestures. For example, looking down below the normal viewpoint opens a menu in which the options can be selected using hand gestures.
The bike also has a 'digital companion' which runs in the background ensuring high degree of safety. According to BMW, the digital companion will only intervene when required or desired.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle. Photo: Facebook/@BMWMotorrad"It was important to us that the analogue riding experience would remain undisturbed. The display and operating concept acts so discreetly that it creates a natural and familiar movement," explains Holger Hampf, head of design, customer experience, at the BMW Group.
The conventional joints are missing in the handle bar, instead a single flexible frame will allow the bike to turn.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle. Photo: Facebook/@BMWMotorradThe company has revealed very little details but if reports are to be believed the bike's technology is meant to equal the driverless cars that are expected by 2040.
Head of BMW Motorrad Design Edgar Heinrich speaks at the unveiling of the BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle at the Iconic Impulses event, recognizing 100 years of BMW in Santa Monica, California. Photo: Getty Images"When we develop a motorcycle, we are usually thinking around five to ten years in the future. So taking a look further into the future was especially exciting for us and highly appealing," says Edgar Heinrich, head of design at BMW Motorrad.
The BMW group have been organizing events around the world to showcase new concept vehicles as part of its 100 year celebration.
The BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle. Photo: Facebook/@BMWMotorrad