The Balancing Act
Honda reveals new Riding Assist technology
Once upon a time, if you wanted to see a balancing act, you might have had to go to the circus. Nowadays you can just go to a tech show, and in the future, thanks to Honda, you might only have to go to your garage.
The bike, which uses a Honda NC platform, can stay upright on its own through employing variable electro-geometry. There are no weighty gyroscopes used here. Instead, the balancing act is achieved by modulating the angle of the front fork.
Riding Assist extends the front wheel away from the main body of the vehicle to provide greater stability. It then adjusts the steering automatically (watch how the wheel jiggles in the video below).
The bike uses three electric motors: one to adjust the fork angle, one to adjust the steering, and a third to propel the motorcycle on its own. This is why you can see it moving through the Honda factory independently (we like the way it appears to look both ways as it leaves the building).
The technology automatically deploys its Balancing Mode when the bike is moving at speeds of less than three mph or is stationary. But Honda says the rider would get to choose whether they want the technology switched on in their vehicle or whether they want to ride without it.
The system is still in the prototype stage and no one knows yet if or when Honda will be rolling out it on its models. So, for now, you'll have to be content with watching the
video of it in action. Impressive, huh?
Comments
13/01/16 - I can see the advantages of something like this. For people with knee/leg problems who find it difficult to hold a bike upright this will allow them the freedom and enjoyment of a bike. But for me, I wouldn't feel like I was riding a bike I was in control of or handling under my own merit. If that makes sense?!
13/01/16 - So ye learn on one o' these,buy a real bike and promptly drop it...
14/01/16 - Similar to learning to drive a car, driving schools have new cars with all the 'aids' then having passed you get an older car without at least some of them.
Recipe for disaster.
13/01/16 - Horrid
Get a car
It's took away everything s bike should be
13/01/16 - Pifft. Weak
15/01/16 - If you can't ride a bike and need aid you shouldn't be riding a bike, cause you'll cause a danger to yourself and everyone around you, so this sort of thing could cause more harm than good
15/01/16 - They'll be developing a belt for people to wear who can't be arsed to stand up on their own
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