BMW Self-Balancing Enclosed Bike Patent Filed With 8-Wheel Stabiliser

While there have been many attempts at self-balancing tech, a mass-produced model is yet to become a reality

Throughout its history, BMW Motorrad has had many innovations to its credit in the world of two-wheelers. Latest patent images reveal that BMW Motorrad could be looking at self-balancing tech in a new way, one that seems practical and can actually be mass-produced. Let’s check out the details.

BMW self-balancing bike – How it works?

While technical details are not available, the patent images provide some clues as to how BMW’s self-balancing motorcycle could work. The core idea seems to be similar to that of Peraves MonoRacer. Stabilizer side wheels are used that are automatically activated when the vehicle starts to slow down. At higher speeds, the side wheels remain retracted. This setup can be used for both standard two-wheelers as well as the ones that have a completely enclosed structure.

BMW’s enclosed self-balancing two-wheeler has a more compact design. Instead of using a single large stabilizer wheel on each side, BMW’s self-balancing bike has four smaller wheels on each side. These stabilizer wheels are fixed inside the bike’s enclosed structure, making it a more practical choice in real-life conditions. These will work as part of an internal mechanism and won’t create any surprises for other road users.

Patent images also reveal the small wheel assembly connected to the main wheels via metal arms. This presents possibilities such as a system that is actively adjusting height and angle. The small wheel assembly could be designed to respond to factors like speed, lean angle and inputs from balance sensors. The small wheel assembly is likely to have varying speeds for deployment and retraction.

To make everything work, BMW’s self-balancing bike could be using advanced equipment such as IMU sensors, speed sensors and semi-active suspension logic. The small wheel assembly could be activated in specific situations such as when starting the bike from a stop, coming to a stop or when the system detects a potential fall risk. By using four stabilizer wheels on both sides, the bike is also better equipped to deal with uneven surfaces.

Challenges for mass production

While self-balancing tech in two-wheelers may seem like magic, its commercial viability could be limited by factors such as high costs, limited practicality and the availability of alternatives. While BMW’s self-balancing tech seems more practical, it is not certain if it will reach production stage. There are similar options already available such as the Lit Motors C-1.

However, with an expected starting price of $32,000 (Rs 30.36 lakh), the Lit Motors C-1 has limited potential to generate high volumes. BMW’s self-balancing tech could be more affordable, but it will still be priced at a premium. Simpler solutions such as trike vehicles already exist and these can be easily converted into fully enclosed units without requiring any self-balancing tech.

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