BMW Motarrad showed the Connect Ride concept bike at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas on January 6. Based on the K1600 GLT touring bike, BMW highlighted two technology concepts it says will enhance the riding experience and improve safety and awareness for the rider.
The first of these, laser headlights, is not really a new thing, having been shown on the 7 Series and i8. And it isn’t quite using lasers to light the way either. The system uses a set of mirrors to focus laser light that excites a yellow phosphorus coating, which then emits a pure, white light.
The advantage to using lasers, says BMW, is a longer throw of the light beam, up to almost 600 metres, and low power consumption. There is also less bleed-over from the beam, which means drivers in oncoming traffic will not be blinded by the glare of the beam.
At the moment, BMW says the technology is too expensive to bring to the motorcycle mass-market, but developments in technology may see laser light on the road soon. What’s not to like about a focused, glare-free light beam that illuminates everything up to a half-kilometre away?
The second technology concept BMW displayed at CES was Connect Ride, a heads-up display (HUD) helmet that has been in the works for a while. The initial concept was shown in 2011, but it was found to be slow, and rather clumsy. Four years later, the improved system seems to be something that might work in real life.
BMW’s HUD helmet drops a screen down in front of the rider’s eye. The system can display data such as speed, navigation, fuel level, tyre pressure, temperature and so on. The data display is customisable to the rider’s needs, and can include other data such as traffic warnings and road congestion.
The controls for the HUD are located on the left handlebar, making it easier and safer to operate. The system also incorporates a pair of cameras, front and rear. The front camera functions as a dash cam, while the rear acts as a rear-view mirror.
According to BMW, there are plans to put this helmet into production “within the medium-term”. Since other companies purporting to be developing HUD technology have yet to to produce HUD helmets beyond prototypes, BMW’s Connected Ride might be the best bet yet.
Whether the distraction of having a screen in front of your eye is a boon or a bane to riding safety, remains to be seen. What do you think? Is “Tron” technology the next great leap forward in enhancing riding safety and the ride itself? Leave a comment with your thoughts and opinions.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
too much sci-fi these days..
Now everyone can become GI Joe
Wow..like ironman…next is voice navigation system embedded in the helmet..
Next the bike can transform into a suit of armor and can shoot lazers and missiles too.
@john, the japs already did that armour suit in the ’80s. Don’t believe me? Watch Robotech / Mospeada. The good old days,…
dragonball rulez
That helmet is clearly too large to fit onto that girl head. you can even see her chin!
It’s too dangerous riding night time. Even a “hummer” helmet (if there is one), still is not good enough the absorb the knock from a car. Ride to be seen and ride in daylight.