Munich. With the BMW i Vision AMBY, the first
high-speed pedelec for urbanists, the BMW Group is presenting a
visionary two-wheeled solution for the urban mobility of tomorrow.
From the outside, the BMW i Vision AMBY looks similar to an e-bike,
but it offers significantly more possibilities. It is one of five
different concept vehicles with which the BMW Group is presenting its
vision of individual mobility in cities and their surrounding areas at
the IAA Mobility event. Under a single umbrella spanning electric
mobility, digitality and sustainability, the five pioneering concepts
create a versatile mobility mix on two and four wheels fuelled by
sustainable thinking which comprehensively addresses an extremely wide
range of mobility needs.
The BMW i Vision AMBY and BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY.
AMBY is a neologism for “adaptive mobility”. The BMW i
Vision AMBY and BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY Vision Vehicles (see also the
separate press release on the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY) interpret the
basic idea of adaptive urban mobility on two wheels in different ways.
The two vehicles are both fitted with an electric drive system with
three speed ratings for different types of roads. The drive system
enables speeds of up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) on cycle tracks, up to 45
km/h (28 mph) on city-centre roads and up to 60 km/h (37 mph) on
multi-lane roads and outside urban areas. However, insurance plates
and a corresponding licence are required for the higher speeds. While
users of the BMW i Vision AMBY high-speed pedelec have to constantly
pedal in order to benefit from the assistance of the electric drive
system, the BMW Motorrad Vision AMBY accelerates via a throttle
grip/throttle lever and has motorcycle-style footrests instead of pedals.
The modes available to the rider are stored in the app on the
smartphone linked with the “AMBY” Vision Vehicle. Manual selection of
the modes is perfectly feasible, as are automatic recognition of
location and road type via geofencing technology and the associated
automatic adjustment of top speed. In the absence of any existing
legal framework for a vehicle of this kind with a modular speed
concept, the “AMBY” Vision Vehicles set out to prompt the introduction
of such legislation and by consequence developments of this nature.
The BMW Group is therefore showing its keenness to remain part of the
mobility conversation in cities, even if in the years ahead those
cities offer motor cars an increasingly small space in which to function.
Defying categorisation.
“Everywhere you look,
apparently established categories are being blown apart – and that’s a
good thing. In the future, classifications such as ‘car’, ‘bicycle’
and ‘motorcycle’ should not determine the nature of the products we
think up, develop and offer,” explains Werner Haumayr, Vice President
BMW Group Design Conception. “Rather, this paradigm shift gives us the
opportunity to tailor products to people’s lifestyles – as we can see
with the BMW i Vision AMBY high-speed pedelec. This vehicle occupies
the space between a bicycle and a light motorcycle and allows our
customers to decide for themselves which roads or routes they want to
travel on through an urban area. They have all the flexibility
possible, at the same time as turning the pedals and keeping
themselves fit. The modes and clever route selection are intended to
make it one of the fastest travel options through a city.”
The BMW Group views the BMW i Vision AMBY as an attractive means of
transport for the future in larger cities. As a second vehicle for a
family or an entry point into the world of pedal-driven, electrified
two-wheeled vehicles, the BMW i Vision AMBY offers an extremely varied
range of applications. It hugely expands the usage scope of a
conventional e-bike through clever technologies related to the three
riding modes.
The design: more than an e-bike.
The design of
the BMW i Vision AMBY is defined by visual lightness and powerful
athleticism. And every detail promises that it is capable of more than
a regular e-bike. The frame structure is larger and the impression is
one of greater strength and stability in every respect. The modern
frame geometry feels like a mixture of racing bike and sporty e-bike.
The upper frame tube, crafted from four sculptural aluminium profiles,
represents an expressive and modern statement of intent – and not only
in visual terms. A slightly rising sweep to its design underscores the
dynamic intent. The space between the profiles also offers stowage
room for a backpack or laptop bag. Located just before the handlebars
is the smartphone integration pad, which holds the device safely in
place using magnets and ensures it is highly visible.
The battery is positioned in the centre of the frame. Its 2,000 Wh
enables a range of up to 300 km (186 miles), depending on the riding
mode. Thanks to fast charging technology, it recharges in only three
hours. The drive unit, which is positioned close to the pedals and is
also black in colour, only provides assistance when the pedals are
being turned. Power transfer is by low-maintenance toothed belt, and
the transmission is integrated into the drive system. A sophisticated
single-sided swinging arm otherwise unique to BMW Motorrad links the
rear wheel with the frame. 120 mm of suspension travel front and rear
is ideal for all applications in and around town at speeds of up to 60
km/h (37 mph). The 27.5-inch wheels are fitted with larger and wider
tyres than normal in order to ensure exceptional comfort and safety
even at higher speeds.
Impressively integrated details and ease of
transportation.
The design of the handlebar stem as part
of the frame has a very technical and high-quality feel. A slim,
horizontal LED light strip is integrated into the wide handlebars and
underscores the cutting-edge, technical look of this frame section.
Likewise fully integrated brakes and internally routed cables set the
seal on the aura of technical modernity covering the handlebar area.
The vertical LED rear light is integrated into the seat post. Below
it, an e-ink display shows the riding mode in use.
The rear wheel with central fastening can be released and removed
easily for optimum ease of transportation. The wheel in the front
suspension fork can likewise be removed in the classical way with a
screw. The result is a compact construction, and the battery can also
be removed and stored separately, which reduces load weight.
Focus on sustainability.
A pedal-driven
two-wheeled vehicle brings many benefits to urban conurbations as a
means of transport – in terms of zero emissions functionality, traffic
area development and energy efficiency – through its underlying
concept alone. The BMW i Vision AMBY two-wheeler also forms part of
the circular economy messaging for the BMW i Vision Circular, which is
likewise celebrating its premiere at the IAA 2021 Mobility. The frame
can be clearly recognised as being made from the same anodised
secondary aluminium as the main body of the BMW i Vision Circular.
Added to which, parts of the handlebars and battery cover are
manufactured from “floating grey polymers”, a recycled plastic also
employed in the bumpers of the Vision Vehicle. These materials can be
fed back into the BMW Group materials cycle more easily once the
product has reached the end of its life. An oil derived from rapeseed
is used as brake fluid. And the BMW Group was also careful to ensure
the components of the BMW i Vision AMBY were produced locally in
Germany and – with the supply chain in mind – transportation distances
for them were kept to a minimum.
More details on the sustainability-related themes around the BMW
Group’s concept vehicles at IAA Mobility 2021 can be found on the BMW
Circular Lab microsite at bmw.com, in the BMW Circular Hub at
Max-Joseph-Platz in central Munich and in connection with the BMW i
Vision Circular Vision Vehicle.
Smartphones act as a key.
Users can prime the
BMW i Vision AMBY for use, load their stored licence classes and apply
the required level of insurance cover on demand using a specially
developed app. The app therefore takes on the role traditionally
performed by a vehicle key. It uses familiar smartphone identification
functionality (e.g. facial recognition) in the same way as the Digital
Key, which was introduced by the BMW Group in an automotive industry
first and turns a compatible iPhone into a digital car key by allowing
customers to unlock, lock and, of course, start their BMW safely and
easily. Other basic functions and status requests (e.g. the current
and scheduled charge level) are also available, as when using the BMW
app. The electrically adjustable seat post is optimised biometrically
to match the profile stored in the app, with the settings adjusted
according to pre-entered data – such as the height and inside leg
measurement of the user – before setting off. Over-the-air updates
allow customers to download software updates and adjustments at any
time. The smartphone shown on the Vision Vehicle charges inductively
on the magnetic bracket low down in the rider’s field of view. These
connectivity options also bring theft-proofing and the free
programmable immobiliser as a basic function. And the search function
“Where is my BMW i Vision AMBY” is just a click on a smartphone away.
Geofencing technology plays a central
role.
Instead of the user choosing the riding mode
themselves, geofencing technology – in combination with the detailed
HERE map service – is able to create the relevant parameters for
automatically setting the speed mode (25/ 45/ 60 km/h [15.5/ 28/ 37
mph]) and corresponding insurance cover. This geofencing technology
enables the vehicle to recognise the type of road being used and
automatically adjusts the maximum permitted speed accordingly. This
means the BMW i Vision AMBY can turn from a pedelec into an
S-pedelec-type vehicle or even one similar to a motorcycle. Manual
mode control is, of course, also provided in order to give the user
maximum freedom when it comes to using the various types of route.
However, intelligent technology ensures the relevant traffic and
safety rules are still kept to at all times. The mode engaged is shown
on the display using e-ink technology – this makes it easy for other
road users to identify the mode activated/selected.
Other technological functions that could be included in the BMW i
Vision AMBY are an ABS system optimised for bicycles, an automatic
high-beam assistant and brake light assistant, and a daytime riding
light – all of which could increase safety. A tyre pressure monitoring
system similar to that fitted to BMW Group motorcycles is also a
possibility. Meanwhile, a proximity radar operating over a range of up
to 140 m gives the user a visual and acoustic warning (via the app) of
vehicles approaching from the rear, and rounds off the range of
possible safety features.
Performance data for the BMW i Vision AMBY