The Motoroid2 Self-Balancing Bike Gets Gesture Control, Its Own Backup Dancers

This is Motoroid2, the latest concept from Yamaha. The correct spelling is MOTOROiD2, a motorcycle-like personal mobility concept that comes with incredible features like the ability to self-balance, gesture control, and full autonomy. The fact that it's a BEV (battery electric vehicle) actually comes last on the list.

Motoroid2 is the evolution of the Motoroid concept Yamaha unveiled in 2017 at the Tokyo Motor Show, using Active Mass Center Control System (AMCES) for autonomy and with a new bodywork inspired by a new design language.

The more evolved, more futuristic-looking, and newer version is scheduled to make its public debut at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 between October 28 and November 5. By the looks of things, it won't be on a static display but with a show that will be an experience unlike any other.

The emphasis is on "experience." To describe the Motoroid2 concept as an electric motorcycle would be doing it an injustice. The same goes for saying that it's just another EV concept: Motoroid2 is real, a functional machine with advanced features – and an experience in and of itself.

The theme of the upcoming presentation will be "Feeling life," in keeping with the underlying idea that Motoroid2 is more than a machine: it's a means of accessing a new experience in life by open communication with the machine. We already knew that Yamaha has worked on the concept to make it fully autonomous, able to come when summoned, stop, and then even park itself, but now we get the chance to see it actually do it.

As you can see in the video teaser at the bottom of the page, this alien-shaped machine rolls smoothly on command and is able to read the owner's gestures after facial recognition. Raising both arms means "stop," while just one means "reverse" – commands that the machine obeys instantly.

Gesture control also allows the owner to move the machine in other ways. Getting jiggly with your e-bike is not a phrase you probably expected to read today, but here it is: the Motoroid2 allows you to get jiggly with it as it will mirror your moves by moving the rear wheel. This is possible because of the pivoting mount point under the saddle, connected to the swingarm, which allows for rear wheel movement independent of the front one.

The functionality of this feature might not be immediately apparent, or even at a later date, if you think about it. That could be because there isn't any functionality to it, but it's in keeping with the same idea that this is a machine you're supposed to interact with. Unlike real-like motorcycles and e-bikes, the Motoroid2 is a concept that studies human-machine interactions and, in so doing, imagines a future in which they co-exist as the two proverbial peas in the pod.

That also explains the choreographed routine with the backup dancers Yamaha has prepared for the big presentation. The highlight is, of course, the fact that the machine is able to mimic the smooth movements of the dancers and that it does so while self-balancing without assistance.

But the most striking part of the video is when the rider stands up on the bike, thanks to the ability to tilt the seat backward by opening the bodywork upwards, and the bike continues to "dance" while reversing into position. Earlier on in the video, during early rehearsals, the same move was achieved by remote control – you can see an assistant holding it, walking in pace with the bike.

Whether Motoroid2 will achieve this on its own during the presentation remains to be seen, but the late rehearsal footage seems to show – or at least imply – that it'll do it on its own. It's a truly beautiful sight, for sure.

As for the striking design of the bike, it's even more so in real life and in motion, though it's partly hidden under protective plastic. Remember, this is rehearsals footage, down to the choreographed routine on the stage, so it makes sense for Yamaha to keep the wraps on the machine until the big moment to prevent damage and not give away all its secrets in advance.

Even with most of the translucent body under blue plastics, Motoroid2 is a beautiful bike – amorphous but undeniably beautiful. It still looks like an alien from the side and brings to mind comparisons to some kind of futuristic metal butterfly with the upper flap open. We'd wager real money on the fact that it'll be several times more impressive and beautiful in the official presentation.

Do you agree?