Honda’s Riding Assist-e can stand – by itself
First the Gold Wing, then the electric scooters, now a bike which can stand by itself? Honda is indeed going full throttle for 2018. Not that we are complaining.
(Image: Overdrive)
Incorporating the technology gleaned from making a walking humanoid robot (ASIMO), Honda developed the Honda’s Riding Assist-e – a new electric motorbike which gauges its surroundings and makes minor steering adjustments for balancing.
(Image: Rushlane)
Due to its self-balancing capabilities, the Honda’s Riding Assist-e will reduce the risk of falls for the rider. This function can be switched off too, and the bike will subsequently topple over just like a normal motorbike. It is also capable of moving about unmanned as well, courtesy of a self-steering system.
The brainchild behind this concept, Engineer Hiroyuki Nakata, mentioned that bike manufacturers globally has attempted to stop motorcycles from falling over using different forms of gyroscopes for years.
'But if you wanted to keep something as heavy as a motorcycle standing, you need a large and heavy gyroscopic device and you need to keep turning it'
-Hiroyuki Nakata
However, Honda’s device is merely the size of a lamp and is able to be rigged above the front wheel. Nakata added by saying that Honda’s vision is to install the gyroscope on large motorcycles, as well as small ones which are used for day-to-day transportation.
Here is a video uploaded by RushLane on Facebook showing the Honda Riding Assist-e: