Munich. As a completely new concept between bicycle
and motorbike, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY taps into fresh
possibilities for the innovative, urban mobility of the future. It is
one of five different concept vehicles that the BMW Group will use at
the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich to showcase its vision of individual
mobility in and around the urban setting.
Under the common umbrella of electric mobility, digitalisation and
sustainability, these five pioneering concepts form a versatile and
sustainably conceived mobility mix on two and four wheels that
comprehensively addresses a highly diverse range of mobility needs.
BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY and BMW i Vision AMBY.
AMBY stands for “Adaptive Mobility”. The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY and
the BMW i Vision AMBY (see BMW i Vision AMBY press release) interpret
the fundamental idea of adaptive urban mobility on two wheels based on
differing facets. Both vehicles are electrically powered with three
speed levels for different types of road. The drive allows up to 25
km/h on cycle paths, up to 45 km/h on inner-city roads and up to a top
speed of 60 km/h on multi-lane roads and out of town. A helmet,
insurance licence plates and the relevant driving licence are required
to be able to travel at higher speeds, however. While the BMW i Vision
AMBY as a high-speed pedelec requires constant pedalling in order to
gain assistance from the electric drive, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY
is accelerated using the throttle grip and has footrests instead of
pedals, as is typical of a motorcycle.
The modes available to the rider are stored in the app on the
smartphone that connects to the respective AMBY vision vehicle.
Manual selection of the speed level is conceivable, as is
detection of the road by means of geofencing technology, thereby
allowing automatic adjustment of the top speed. As there is currently
no legal basis for such a vehicle with a modular speed concept, the
idea behind the AMBY vision vehicles is to prompt legislation that
will enable this kind of set-up. In this way, the BMW Group is
demonstrating that it will continue to be involved in providing
mobility options in big cities in the future and offers innovative solutions.
New stimuli for emotional mobility on two wheels.
“The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY takes us into new territory. For us,
the focus is on user behaviour – the question is: how will customers
want to get around in the future? What will they expect their vehicle
to be capable of? This was precisely the starting point of our
deliberations. Our aim was to develop an extremely emotional vehicle
for smart mobility in and around the city that offered maximum
freedom. The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY really does enable our customers
to experience urban life in a whole new way, cover distances more
flexibly and “break free” of the city from time to time, too. At the
same time, BMW Motorrad is consistently pursuing its electromobility
strategy for urban conurbations. It’s a fascinating introduction to
the world of BMW Motorrad that also promises maximum riding pleasure,”
explains Edgar Heinrich, Head of Design BMW Motorrad.
The design – the DNA of BMW Motorrad.
The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY defies all existing categories: visually
akin to the world of bicycles, it is a motorbike at heart. Its slender
proportions promise ruggedness and adventure, while its design
suggests clear echoes of the expressive style and layout of an BMW
Enduro motorbike. With chunky treads on both the 26-inch front wheel,
which has a thinner tyre, and the 24-inch rear wheel with its more
rounded tyre, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY clearly shows that it is
both willing and able to go anywhere. The firmly integrated seat with
a height of 830 mm is just as typical a motorbike feature as the fixed footrests.
The seat also acts as a design element over the flat, rising upper
frame section, creating a striking flyline. This produces a completely
new, fresh look for BMW Motorrad – a link between the e-bike and
motorbike world.
The large energy storage unit and drive unit
form a dark graphic block at the centre of the frame.
The large-dimensioned bicycle fork on the front wheel features
protectors and gives the entire front section a more massive, powerful
look. A small headlight with the U-shaped BMW Motorrad light signature
is a clear reference to the roots of the concept, as is the double LED
element as a tail light. Another BMW Motorrad feature is that the BMW
Motorrad Vision AMBY is accelerated from the handlebars, as is
customary on a motorbike.
With a total weight of just 65 kg, the
BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY is significantly lighter than other
motorbikes, ensuring it offers excellent manoeuvrability and agility.
Colour and material concept featuring depth and unexpected details.
As compared to a conventional combustion engine, the concept of the
electric drive in the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY means there is little
in the way of visible mechanics.
For this reason, its technical
heart is deliberately disguised and showcased in a striking
machine-like style. This accentuates the highly elaborated colour and
material concept, which goes well beyond the traditional dark
underlying colour scheme and use of white highlights.
In its use of materials, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY
cross-references two other concept vehicles that will also see their
world premiere at the IAA Mobility 2021: The BMW i Vision Circular and
the BMW i Vision AMBY. The trim material used on the energy storage
unit – known as “floating grey polymers” – is also used in the bumper
of the BMW i Vision Circular. It consists of recycled plastic and can
itself be fed back into the material cycle at the end of the product
lifecycle. Meanwhile the material used for the seat is also to be
found in the saddle of the BMW i Vision AMBY and in the tyres of the
BMW i Vision Circular. Based on recycled plastic granulate and
sporting a fascinating terrazzo look, it demonstrates how several
materials can be given a second life with a new form and function.
Asymmetrical design of the sides of the vehicle.
In keeping with the unexpected, self-assured character of the BMW
Motorrad Vision AMBY, its two sides have deliberately been designed
distinctively. On both sides, the white “AMBY” lettering catches the
eye above the light-coloured drive unit, making a striking statement
as a stylised graphic on the trim of the energy storage unit. While
the lettering on the left gains additional visual depth from a
colourfully shimmering, iridescent drop shadow, the inscription on the
right appears deliberately without a drop shadow. Below the energy
storage unit there are two iridescent elements that add a further accentuation.
On the right-hand side of the vehicle, three small turquoise blue
tubes visibly emerge from the silhouette, clearly alluding to the
electric heart of the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY. Next to this is a
quote by Markus Schramm, Head of BMW Motorrad: „Electro-mobility will
be very significant for the future of motorcycling. We foresee a slew
of upcoming products with a focus on electric propulsion, particularly
in the field of urban mobility. And I’m not only thinking of classic
scooters here, but also of alternative modern, emotional products.
Electro-mobility on two wheels needs to be really fun and adventurous
and BMW is committed to developing corresponding products.”
On closer inspection, the interplay between the technoid pixel font
with the classic serif font reflects a great attention to detail at
several points: together these bridge the gap between the past and the
future – just like the vision vehicle itself. The coordinates on the
right are a reference to the BMW Motorrad Design Studio in Munich,
where the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY came into being. On the opposite
side, the letters “AMBY” also appear in Morse code, but with dashes
visualising the dots. In their perfect interplay, all these carefully
conceived details create a unique graphic and a highly contemporary
sense of style.
The smartphone as the key.
The specially developed app enables the user to activate the BMW
Motorrad Vision AMBY for riding, read in their stored driving licence
classes and make use of the appropriate insurance cover on an
on-demand basis as required. In this way, the app performs the classic
key function while also making use of the customary identification
options provided by the smartphone such as Face ID. Basic functions
and status queries (e.g. current charge status) are available as in
the BMW App. Further developments and adjustments to the software can
be provided to customers at any time via over-the-air
updates.
The smartphone shown in the vision vehicle charges
inductively on the magnetic holder in the rider’s lower field of
vision. These connectivity options would also allow anti-theft
protection and the freely programmable immobiliser to be offered as
basic functions.
And the answer to the question “Where is my BMW
Motorrad Vision AMBY?” would be just a click away on the smartphone, too.
Geofencing as a key technology.
Instead of choosing the riding mode yourself, geofencing technology
combined with the detailed HERE map service could provide the required
parameters for automatically adjusting speed levels (25/45/60 km/h)
and the matching insurance cover. This technology enables the vehicle
to detect the type of road, cycle path or slow-traffic area currently
being used so that the maximum permitted speed can be automatically
adjusted. In this way, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY would transform
from a vehicle similar to an S-pedelec to something that is more
motorcycle-inspired. The user cannot override the mode. The required
licence plate takes the form of an innovative display surface, so the
mode selected at any given time can be easily recognised and read by
other road users.
Additional technological innovations are conceivable for the BMW
Motorrad Vision AMBY, too: an optimised ABS system could further
increase safety, as could an automatic high beam or brake light
assistant, as well as daytime running lights. A tyre pressure
monitoring system such as the one already available as an optional
extra in BMW Group motorcycles is also conceivable. Finally, potential
safety features could also include a distance radar with a range of up
to 140 m to provide a visual and acoustic warning in the app when
there is a vehicle approaching from behind.
The BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY shows one possible manifestation of what
the modern, urban mobility of tomorrow might look like. It is intended
as a blueprint to drive forward conversations about future-oriented
travel in cities.
Figures of the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY.
Battery: not specified
Output: not specified
Vmod1: up to 25 km/h
Vmod2: up to 45 km/h
Vmodmax: up to 60 km/h
Range: approx. 110 km (combined according to WMTC)
Wheels: Studded spoke wheels with 26-inch front and 24-inch rear
Seat height: 830 mm
Unladen weight: approx. 65 kg