BMW takes the wraps off its self-balancing motorcycle

PanARMENIAN.Net - BMW unveiled on Tuesday, October 11 its Motorrad Vision Next 100, a sleek, self-balancing prototype the company released as part of its 100th anniversary celebrations, AFP reports.

The zero-emissions bike has self-balancing wheels designed to stand upright even at a complete stop, stability that the company says will allow riders to forgo riding a helmet.

"Its self-balancing system will help protect the rider at any time," said Edgar Heinrich, the design director of BMW's motorcycle division. "Any late reaction from the driver will trigger and the vehicle will balance out."

"In the future, motorcycle riders will be able to enjoy riding without protective gear."

The world's top maker of luxury vehicles has also premiered this year a futuristic BMW sports car with a flexible body, as well as a self-driving Rolls-Royce and an electric Mini model, AFP says.

Despite its contemporary features the bike will not be fully autonomous, the company said.

"We do not envision autonomy on motorcycles," said Heinrich, as the driverless autopilot system has faced global scrutiny following fatal crashes in northern China in January and in the U.S. state of Florida in May.

BMW aims to commercialize fully autonomous vehicles by 2021, a company spokesman told AFP.