BMW reveals high-tech AMBY electric bike concept
The BMW AMBY concept bikes utilise technology such as geofencing and smartphone keysA pair of new electric bikes with geofencing technology and a smartphone key have provided a glimpse into BMW Motorrad’s vison for the future.
BMW Motorrad is set to reveal the motorcycle/bicycle concepts at the upcoming 2021 IAA Mobility electric vehicle exhibition in Munich.
The BMW Mottorad Vision AMBY and BMW i Vision AMBY offer offer a mix between a bicycle and a motorcycle, with the aim of creating accessible, versatile and sustainable mobility solutions.
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Leveraging the e-bike craze, the i Vision AMBY is a pedal-assist electric bicycle, while the Vision AMBY offers a more traditional, throttle-operated motorcycle experience with foot pegs.
According to BMW, AMBY stands for ‘adaptive mobility’ and both bikes offer three speed levels for different types of roads and urban environments. The machines will allow riders to travel up to 25km/h on bicycle paths, up to 45km/h on inner-city roads, and up to 60km/h on multi-lane roads.
The speed level can be adjusted manually, but BMW has also proposed geofencing technology which will adjust the speeds on detection of the road type.
Many countries in Europe have extensive bicycle path networks, which makes the AMBY an appealing concept. Riders would be able to utilise both bike paths and the roads, with the speed adjusted accordingly.
Important licence and registration data would be stored on a smartphone app which would double as a key that can activate the bike, as well as a security mechanism.
Other potential features that BMW has hinted at include an optimised ABS system, daytime running lights, a tyre pressured monitoring system and radar technology.
While the AMBY machines are purely concepts at this stage, they do reveal BMW’s intention to move towards high-tech and environmentally-friendly mobility solutions for urban areas.
The German marque recently announced the imminent arrival of its CE 04 electric scooter, however it has otherwise kept its electric development behind closed doors.
BMW Motorrad global CEO, Markus Schramm, told bikesales in 2020 that the company is working on electric motorcycles, but that it wouldn't rush the process. Instead, he said that the company would pull the trigger when the global market demanded electric motorcycle technology. Has that time finally come?
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