You seem to be stuck with the idea that this would be like correcting a traditional motorcycle in a bad turn. This is not a human knee-jerk reaction to overcorrect we're talking about, it's a computer that is constantly making minor corrections on a very short interval, before, during and after the corner. The bike never gets that far out of balance, so there is no violent high-side.
It would maintain traction by not laying down and skipping across the pavement, keeping rubber against asphalt (likely to be better in the traction department than plastic/metal against asphalt). If the tech works properly the bike would slide in a fast corner similar to a car in the same situation.
I still think the project is really young, and their reported 2013 release date is super optimistic. This machine needs a lot more testing before it can be unleashed upon the roads.
Yes, but you still run wide into oncoming traffic or into that tree. It's not the laying down/sliding that kills you, it's the sudden stop.
I think it's rather telling the video doesn't show it negotiating a corner at a lean angle. Presumably that's quite a problem.
Having said all that, whereas I doubt I'd buy one as a motorcyclist, I might be tempted as a commuter if the price was reasonable (which, to be honest, it isn't).
> I think it's rather telling the video doesn't show it negotiating a corner at a lean angle. Presumably that's quite a problem.
I would expect that it is eventually intended that it leans in a corner, it would just require a controlled reorientation of the gyroscopes, it looks as if they're mounted on gimbals already (to provide reactive counterbalance to any attempt to disorient it). I'm just guessing they need more money/time to research and engineer the right control system to handle the right gyro control for the measured lean based on data from accelerometers.
I can't see why you'd have a profiled (i.e. not flat) rear tyre if it was going to remain upright all of the time.
If they did engineer it to lean then I'd love the chance to terrify myself going down the Corkscrew at Laguna Seca on it...
Running corners too wide into oncoming traffic or trees is a concern, but not more than with cars, etc. If you're driving too fast, you're driving too fast. I don't see that it's more of a concern with this vehicle.
I assumed the same as you that cornering is still a problem since they didn't show it in the video. I think this project still needs a lot of work. The same project was on HN a couple of months ago and it was really no different except for the slightly more polished exterior. Basically they showed that gyros can keep a 2 wheel vehicle upright, but we haven't seen the thing in motion at all. This is why I think 2013 is way too optimistic for a release.
The price does seem a bit high, but it should come down over time.
It would maintain traction by not laying down and skipping across the pavement, keeping rubber against asphalt (likely to be better in the traction department than plastic/metal against asphalt). If the tech works properly the bike would slide in a fast corner similar to a car in the same situation.
I still think the project is really young, and their reported 2013 release date is super optimistic. This machine needs a lot more testing before it can be unleashed upon the roads.