Keeping a motorcycle upright at slow speed or in front of traffic lights can be a challenge, especially for riders with less strength, or dare we say it, less coordination. The new self-balancing concept motorcycle that Honda recently presented at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas has solved the issue effortlessly and potentially enabled a lot more people to get out and enjoy the freedom only a motorcycle to provide.

Motorcycles developed by other companies rely on gyroscopes for stabilising and balancing their motorbikes. The extra equipment does tick the box, but also adds a lot of weight and alters the riding experience, while the Honda Riding Assist technology leverages the company’s robotics technology to create a self-balancing motorcycle. As shown in the demonstration, the front forks are separated from the handlebars when the Riding Assist system switched on, which allows the front wheel to make very rapid and tiny movements for keeping the motorbike upright. The system can be turned off anytime if a more hands-on experience is preferred.

The technology was originally developed for Honda’s UNI-CUB personal mobility device. Another function of Riding Assist, while the mechanism behind it has not been fully explained, is that the motorbike can somehow follow its owner in automation with just a tap on the front end. Honda has not yet stated whether Riding Assist will be incorporated into mass production, but judging from the demo the development should be ready to launch in the very near future.