Yamaha develops low-speed self-balancing tech for its bikes

The bike will be able to move at walking speeds, without falling over.

According to media reports, Yamaha is working on a new self-balancing technology which could help bring down the number of bike accidents. Called, Advanced Motorcycle Stabilisation Assist System or AMSAS, the tech is capable of being integrated into existing motorcycle designs, without having to make any modifications either to the frame or any component.

The new tech makes use of two actuators, one on the front wheel and the other on the handlebar. Both these actuators work in conjunction with the motorcycle's 6-axis IMU to keep the vehicle stable at low speeds. Reports state that when stopping or starting the drive actuator on the wheel aids with stability up to about 3 mph (5 km/h), before the steering actuator takes over. This translates to the bike being able to move even at walking speeds without falling over, irrespective of the skill of the rider.

Yamaha describes its system as "using the dynamics of an inverted pendulum", and put the AMSAS tech to the test on a YZF-R25 - its 250cc inline-twin cylinder fully-faired motorcycle.

The motorcycle brand has set a goal of eliminating two-wheeler accidents by 2050, by introducing many new technologies including a few which predict obstacles and assist in taking evasive manoeuvres. The AMSAS tech is said to be only halfway there, with Yamaha working on miniaturising the tech before putting it into production. Apart from motorcycles, Yamaha wants to use the tech in other types of two-wheelers as well, including bicycles.