International Dealer News IDN 145 October/November 2018 | Page 17

news ROOM
Autonomous motorcycle
tech will benefit V2V
BMW has presented its first
autonomous motorcycle technology
demonstrator at its Miramas testing
ground 2018 Techday in southern
France.
Developed by a team led by graduate
engineer Stefan Hans, a R 1200 GS
was shown to be able to
independently drive off, accelerate,
circle a winding test track and
independently slow down safely to a
stop.
The company says that “the underlying
technology should serve as a platform
for development of future systems and
functions to make motorcycling even
safer, more comfortable and increase
the riding pleasure.
“The aim of the prototype is to gather
additional knowledge with regard to
driving dynamics in order to detect
dangerous situations early on and thus
support the driver with appropriate
safety systems while turning at
intersections or when braking
FUTURE
BRIEFS
Alternet Systems of Dallas, Tx.,
has announced the formation of a
new subsidiary to be called ReVolt
Electric Motorbikes, to produce Li-
ion battery powered motorcycles
for US and international markets.
The first model will be based on
the 1930s BMW R71 motorcycle
with sidecar utilised by the
German Army in WWII, powered
by an electric motor utilising an
Alternet Systems designed lithium
battery solution.
suddenly”.
Other technology projects
demonstrated included cornering
lights, laser headlights and a
motorcycle frame manufactured
completely using a 3D printing process
- including the rear swinging arm.
BMW Motorrad is able to leverage
synergies from R&D work done by the
automotive division where 3D printed
parts production has already made its
way into series production for various
vehicles. BMW says “the advantage of
3D printing lies in the complete
freedom to design components that
could not be produced in other ways.
“The innovative processes used in the
production of motorcycle chassis
components, such as frame, swinging
arm and wheels, use lightweight, high-
strength carbon - already industrially
manufactured in the BMW HP4
RACE”.
BMW believes that the rapid pace of
digitisation will change the future of
motorcycling. “BMW Motorrad is
taking two-wheeler needs into
consideration for tomorrow's world of
transport and preparing for it
technically. Above all, V2V
communication between vehicles is in
the foreground, further enhancing
safety and comfort for the motorcyclist
through digital networking”.
Piaggio has finally confirmed that the
‘Vespa Elettrica’ finally entered
production in September 2018. The
group’s first product to adopt
“innovative machine-man
interconnectivity solutions”, it will
initially be available online only.
Production will be at the historic
Pontedera plant near Pisa in Italy,
where the first Vespa rolled off the line
in the spring of 1946.
The American Motorcyclist
Association has adopted an
official position statement on
automated vehicles that calls on
government agencies and elected
officials to include motorcyclists
in the ongoing discussion,
planning and implementation of
the policies and regulations
governing the rollout of
automated vehicles.
At the start of 2017 some 2.3 million
German households owned at least one
electric bicycle (Pedelec) - over 6% of
all households and an almost 100%
increase in three years.