Photo: BMW Motorrad
The digitization age is slowly modifying the way we ride our beloved machines, and BMW Motorrad is one of the first motorcycle makers to take it to a new level through its ConnectedRide Concept that got unveiled this month at EICMA.
BMW Motorrad presented its ConnectedRide concept back in 2009, demonstrating the numerous possibilities of rider assistance systems based on vehicle-to-vehicle communications. Now, the company is presenting the latest iteration of the concept which combines a TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connection that could be applied to future bike models.
“Connectivity and the availability of digital services are increasingly becoming an issue for motorcyclists,” BMW Motorrad President Stephan Schaller explains. “For this reason, we are expanding our range in this area. In the future we will be offering services that enrich the motorcycling experience. New apps and functions via connection with smartphones and back-end services will open up a whole range of possibilities in terms of intelligent networking, making motorcycling more exciting, more comfortable and also safer.”
The newly-presented system demonstrates the possibilities of connectivity between the instrument cluster, rider helmet and smartphone. In addition to riding relevant information (speed, engine rpm, etc.), smartphone-based functions such as navigation, telephone, and entertainment are provided to the rider who can safely use through a multi-controller.
For example, the BMW System 7 helmet is fitted with microphone and speakers, being able to act as the rider’s reception center for audio output such as navigation directions, telephone calls or music.
Another step towards motorcycle connectivity is the integration of a worldwide community of motorcyclists through a strategic partnership with the technology start-up Rever. Since 2015, Rever users in 119 countries have covered millions of kilometers by motorcycle and have tracked their routes. Using the app and the Rever website, bikers can discover the best routes in the world, compile their own individualized routes, log their trips and share their motorcycling experiences on social media platforms.
The future of motorcycling does sound cool, but isn’t all the technology kinda ruining the whole thing? I mean, most riders choose the bike life because they want to be independent, they want to escape the ordinary and search for adventures, get lost on purpose just to discover new places and such. Not everyone needs complex electronic gizmos to feel good...
“Connectivity and the availability of digital services are increasingly becoming an issue for motorcyclists,” BMW Motorrad President Stephan Schaller explains. “For this reason, we are expanding our range in this area. In the future we will be offering services that enrich the motorcycling experience. New apps and functions via connection with smartphones and back-end services will open up a whole range of possibilities in terms of intelligent networking, making motorcycling more exciting, more comfortable and also safer.”
The newly-presented system demonstrates the possibilities of connectivity between the instrument cluster, rider helmet and smartphone. In addition to riding relevant information (speed, engine rpm, etc.), smartphone-based functions such as navigation, telephone, and entertainment are provided to the rider who can safely use through a multi-controller.
For example, the BMW System 7 helmet is fitted with microphone and speakers, being able to act as the rider’s reception center for audio output such as navigation directions, telephone calls or music.
Another step towards motorcycle connectivity is the integration of a worldwide community of motorcyclists through a strategic partnership with the technology start-up Rever. Since 2015, Rever users in 119 countries have covered millions of kilometers by motorcycle and have tracked their routes. Using the app and the Rever website, bikers can discover the best routes in the world, compile their own individualized routes, log their trips and share their motorcycling experiences on social media platforms.
The future of motorcycling does sound cool, but isn’t all the technology kinda ruining the whole thing? I mean, most riders choose the bike life because they want to be independent, they want to escape the ordinary and search for adventures, get lost on purpose just to discover new places and such. Not everyone needs complex electronic gizmos to feel good...
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