A major player in the world of artificial intelligence, robotics, and big data, Honda->ke291 announced their big new project called the “Cooperative Mobility Ecosystem” that is touted to transform the mobility experience of the future and improve customers’ quality of life.

As part of this, Honda first showcased the 'Riding Assist' concept at the Las Vegas International Consumer Electronics Show (International CES) in January that let the media go crazy with the self-balancing technology it carried.

Honda Riding Assist concept


Now, fresh new development brings us to this 'Riding Assist-e' concept that the Big Red will unveil at the Tokyo Motor Show, which starts later this month. As the "e" in the name suggests, it will carry a battery pack and an electric motor instead of the NC750 parallel twin seen on the original concept. A sensible move I suppose, after knowing the threat lurking around liquified dinosaurs (gasoline).

Seen first with the Honda’s Uni-Cub, a small personal mobility technology which had a self-balancing multidirectional movement capability, the tech was not all raising eyebrows. Some liked it, some hated it. It kind of solves a problem that did not exist in the first place. Now though, a motorcycle is another ball game altogether.

Honda has not made use of a gyroscope or other mass-shifting devices as we all might have expected. Instead, the front fork angle (rake) increases to widen the wheelbase and disconnecting the forks from the handlebar. Computer controlled systems make tiny steering adjustments making the front wheel twitch left or right to keep the balance upright.

This piece of technology will also help save a lot of weight by eliminating heavy gyroscopes. Low mounted battery packs will also provide a better center of gravity for the system to work more efficiently.

Motorcycle accidents are close to 30 times more than those of cars, and Honda is in an effort to minimize that as much as possible. The 'Riding Assist-e' concept keeps the motorcycle upright at speeds lesser than 5 mph and gives the rider maximum control and stability. The self-balancing technology will eliminate low-speed accidents where riders would have most probably injured themselves with the motorcycle falling on them.

As with the fashion of concept design goes, the 'Riding Assist-e' concept does justice and has a few fancy bits on it like the TFT dash, electric drivetrain with a shaft powered transmission, single-sided swingarm, LED lights, aluminum housing for the battery pack et al.

As an optional benefit, the bike will come equipped with aluminum side struts which will eventually be more refined when it comes to production models.

The original Riding Assist concept had also shown a neat trick up its sleeve. Just with a touch of a button under the headlight cluster, the bike will follow its master wherever he goes, probably with an electric drive, and can also find a parking spot for itself, saving loads of time in your urban commuting.

We don't know if the "e" will come with this as well, but the bulbous package below the LED strips that seem to contain sensors and cameras assures of its inclusion.

Last year, BMW Motorrad showcased its Vision Next 100, a motorcycle that is an entirely radical concept of the traditional machine on two wheels today.

Even this German concept is a self-balancing motorcycle that makes the side stand become mundane and mute. It promises to enhance the stability of the motorcycle when on the move and also balances the bike when in stationery. We think it makes use of a gyroscope to do this magic. Even when the rider unmounts the motorcycle, it will remain upright and always provide a positive feel for the rider.

BMW Motorrad Vision Next 100


While no official announcements have been made regarding having the Riding Assist-e and its tech making onto the production line, it is looking increasingly likely that they eventually will.

All we can do now is wait for the Tokyo Motor Show for more insights on this amazing new technology that can possibly see its way into future products from Honda and make our future safer than ever before.