MUNICH: If cars can do it, so can motorcycles. We are talking self-riding bikes here.

It's even more unsettling for an autonomous bike as one can obviously see it has no rider as it speeds forward and weaves around as if ridden by a ghostly figure.

BMW Motorrad's first autonomous bike was presented last week at the BMW Motorrad Techday 2018.

A BMW R 1200 GS made its first rounds in front of assembled journalists, as if by magic, at the BMW Group testing ground in Miramas, southern France.

Developed by graduate engineer Stefan Hans and his team, the vehicle independently rides off, accelerates, circles a winding test track and independently slows down to a stop.



BMW Motorrad said the proof of concept is not meant to introduce an autonomous bike per se but use it 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 was to gather additional knowledge with regards 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 suddenly, for example.



With BMW bikes bought mainly by rich middle-aged men, we could see such autonomous tech coming in useful in other ways. Like when such riders suffer a heart attack or a blackout and sensors on the bike are able to assist in quickly rolling the bike to a safe stop by the kerb and calling out for emergency aid with GPS co-ordinates included.

Apart from the impressive autonomous riding demo, BMW Motorrad also presented other exciting technology projects.

Luminous motorcycle headlights from cornering lights to laser headlights were highlights as well as a motorcycle frame made completely using a 3D printing process, including a rear swing arm.

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