Yamaha released an autonomous robot for motorcycles in 2015 and a self-sustaining motorcycle in 2017. The company unveiled a new driving support system called AMSAS, which utilizes these technologies. It is a dream-like system that controls the vehicle when traveling at less than 5 km/h and prevents standing and gripping jolts.
It features a simple structure and can be easily installed on existing bikes. Can it really be made commercially available?
What will the price be? All eyes will be on it.
Written by Hiroaki Numao
This article was originally published in "Best Car Web" on November 7, 2022.
- Controls front wheels and steering wheel and does not fall over when stopped
- Simple mechanism, so it is expected to be compatible with existing vehicles.
- While it is difficult to make it commercially viable at this time, we would like to target +360 USD.
- The world's first brake-linked radar from Yamaha will be available in 2023
- Worldwide motorcycle fatalities are on the rise; prevent mistakes and study post-accident care
Controls front wheels and steering wheel and does not fall over when stopped
Compared to cars, motorcycles lag behind in safety technology. This is due to the limited space available for installation and the need for complex and precise control due to the unstable nature of two-wheeled vehicles.
In this context, Yamaha Motor held a safety vision and technology briefing for the press in Tokyo on November 11.
President and Representative Director Yoshihiro Hidaka and Heiji Maruyama, General Manager of the Technology and Research Division, held the press conference.
Yamaha has long held up human-machine sensuality, which creates pleasure and excitement by uniting people and machines, as a major theme in its manufacturing. Leveraging this strength, Yamaha has newly established "human-machine sensuality x human-machine safety" as the company's safety vision. The company aims to achieve zero traffic accidents by 2050 through the three pillars of technology (e.g., rider assistance), skills (e.g., expansion of safety classes), and connectivity (e.g., cloud computing).
Of particular note is the unique motorcycle stability assist system named Advanced Motorcycle Stability Assist System (AMSAS), which was unveiled for the first time.
Actuators are mounted on the front wheels and steering wheel. Based on information from the 6-axis IMU (inertial sensor), the vehicle automatically balances itself by using the riding force of the motor to move back and forth and the steering force of the steering wheel to stand on its own.
Activated at speeds of less than 5 km/h, the system prevents so-called "grip jolts," which are falls caused by standing jolts or locking of the front brake. Even when turning at extremely low speeds, such as a U-turn, it will not topple over. The vehicle remains independent even when stopped, so there is no need to put the driver's feet down.
On the other hand, the assist does not come on at speeds above 5 km/h, so the enjoyment of steering that only a motorcycle can provide is not compromised.
The vehicle exhibited at the event was a research-stage model based on the gasoline-powered YZF-R3 that has been converted into an electric vehicle (EV). AMSAS can be installed on an engine as well, but the EV, which has less time lag in control, is better suited for self-reliance.
A vehicle in the research and development stage, based on the YZF-R3 and equipped with AMSAS. The「04」on the cowl signifies the vehicle that follows MOTOROiDs, the third self-supporting motorcycle. The bumper is for experimental use and can stand on its own without it.
Video of an AMSAS-equipped vehicle in motion. The vehicle is operated remotely for demonstration purposes, and will not fall over at speeds of less than 5 km/h, even when unmanned. Of course, the same is true when a rider is on board.
Simple mechanism, so it is expected to be compatible with existing vehicles.
So far, Yamaha has released two experimental vehicles: the autonomous robot MOTOBOT in 2015 and the autonomous motorcycle MOTOROiD in 2017.
MOTOBOT is an unmanned riding robot that drives a regular vehicle, and its purpose is to visualize information on the side of the person operating & driving the vehicle and to elucidate the relationship between vehicle behaviors. 2017 saw the evolution to Ver. 2, which also enables track riding at 200 km/h or higher.
MOTOROiDs are models that can stand on their own at low speeds or when stopped. The center of gravity is controlled by rotating an axle connected to the rear wheels along the main frame.
The AMSAS utilizes technology from both companies. MOTOBOT's technology in a running state and MOTOROiDs' technology in a stopped state were utilized, and it can be said to be the culmination of many years of research.
And because of its simple structure, AMSAS requires minimal changes to the frame and can be retrofitted to existing vehicles.
MOTOROiDs are a large system and require a fundamental reworking of the bike. Note that rival Honda announced in November 2021 its Riding Assist 2.0, which is self-supporting by swinging the rear wheel, but this also requires replacing the second half of the vehicle body.
In addition, the MOTOROiDs and Honda systems are strongly controlled and do not collapse even if a great deal of force is applied. AMSAS, on the other hand, has less power to assist than these systems and will fall over if it is intentionally tried, but it is effective in actual situations. The advantage of AMSAS is that it is lightweight, simple, cost-effective, and can be retrofitted.
Incidentally, the system requires a good amount of power, but no comment is made as to whether additional batteries are a must. The system is also highly flexible, as it can be mounted on the rear wheels instead of the front wheels.
Motroid was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2017. It was an EV that remained self-supporting and ran automatically at low speed. When the central axis rotates, the battery at the bottom swings left and right to balance
The Honda Riding Assist 2.0 independent system is equipped with a servo motor at the rear of the chassis.
It has little effect on steering and does not interfere with the rider's movement at speeds above 20 km/h.
Riding Assist 2.0 automatically controls the steering of the front wheels, while at the same time swinging the rear wheels and body from side to side to maintain balance. However, the swing arm and all other rear parts must be replaced.
While it is difficult to make it commercially viable at this time, we would like to target +360 USD.
The system is very expensive at this time, and unfortunately, no decision has yet been made regarding commercialization. Yamaha President Hidaka said that the system needs to be smaller, lighter, and simpler.
If we can clear the cost issue, we would like to put it on the market right away. My feeling is that the market will accept a system that costs about 360 USD more than the standard vehicle. He hopes that the AMSAS version will be the best-selling, just like EyeSight for four-wheeled vehicles.
The +360 USD price tag is similar to the price of ABS for motorcycles a decade ago. If marketed, it would be especially effective for beginners who have just obtained a driver's license and for those who are not comfortable with their foot grounding. For +360 USD, there are probably quite a few people who would like to have it.
Veterans will also benefit greatly from heavyweight models, such as large cruisers weighing over 300 kg. Price will still be an issue.
Equipped with an actuator under the top bridge. While traveling at less than 5 km/h, it is balanced by the steering force of the handlebars. The bulge at the top of the tank is a socket for charging.
The front wheels are equipped with actuators for riding. Surprisingly, steering control is not necessary when the vehicle is stopped, and the tires are moved back and forth to keep the vehicle independent.
Yoshihiro Hidaka, President and Representative Director (left), and Heiji Maruyama, General Manager of the Technology and Research Division
The world's first brake-linked radar from Yamaha will be available in 2023
Meanwhile, the world's first millimeter-wave radar-coupled braking system for motorcycles is now commercially available.
Mounted on the vehicle is the new Tracer 9GT+, a sports tourer unveiled at the Milano show in November. For the first time, Yamaha's radar detects traffic conditions ahead, enabling the use of adaptive cruise control (ACC), which other manufacturers are beginning to adopt. The vehicle automatically controls its speed according to the speed of the vehicle in front and maintains a constant distance from the vehicle.
In addition, the world's first radar-based automatic brake control is employed. Based on information detected by millimeter-wave radar and IMU, if the rider's brake input is insufficient, the system assists with braking force while automatically adjusting the front-rear distribution.
In addition, the electronically controlled suspension is also linked, allowing safe deceleration without discomfort, a feature unique to motorcycles. If there is no brake input at all, a warning is displayed on the meter screen. If the driver does not brake, the system will not automatically stop.
The basic radar device is made by Bosch, but Yamaha has developed its own system for controlling the front and rear brakes and linking the system with the electronic suspension.
According to Yamaha's announcement, the product will be available in Japan after the summer of 2023.
Tracer 9GT+ on display at the presentation. Millimeter wave radar is installed between the lower headlights.
Tracer 9GT+ features a new large 7-inch color TFT meter. The screen warns the rider if he or she is too close to the motorcycle in front. In addition, Bluetooth connectivity with a smartphone is now available.
Worldwide motorcycle fatalities are on the rise; prevent mistakes and study post-accident care
According to President Hidaka, while the number of traffic fatalities in four-wheeled vehicles in 34 major countries has decreased over the 30 years from 1990 to 2020, the number of fatalities in two-wheeled vehicles is on the rise, he said.
The company also found that 41% of motorcycle-related accidents are caused by four-wheeled drivers' cognitive errors and 14% by errors in judgment, and 32% are caused by motorcycle riders' errors.
Furthermore, data show that 70% of motorcycle accidents occur within two seconds of the trigger of the accident.
However, motorcycles have the problem that it is difficult to avoid an accident at a moment's notice.
In addition, he said, the high level of safety awareness among young riders, which has been increasing with the recent motorcycle boom in Japan, provided the impetus for this safety vision.
In light of these circumstances, driving assistance to reduce accidents is considered.
Millimeter wave radar, AMSAS, advanced road traffic systems with wireless communication, and safety classes are being introduced. In addition, the company is also studying on-board and worn airbags and automatic accident reporting systems and is working on damage mitigation in case of an accident.
While motorcycles are a real joy to steer, unlike four-wheeled vehicles, they are prone to losing their balance.
This makes it difficult to introduce automatic driving, safety support, and automatic intervention. From a cost standpoint as well, the incorporation of electronic controls increases the price and is often not welcomed in models in the popular price range.
Nevertheless, both manufacturers and users share the same desire to avoid accidents. While waiting for technological advances, we hope to find a good compromise.
Documentation by Yamaha. The Stockholm Declaration was issued at a conference co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Swedish government and attended by officials from 140 countries
Motorcycle accidents can be reduced by using Intelligent Transportation Systems to reduce cognitive & decision-making errors not only by motorcycle riders but also by four-wheeled drivers.
70% of motorcycle accidents occur in less than 1 second or 1-2 seconds after the accident trigger occurs.
Emergency avoidance maneuvers by human power are difficult in many cases.
