The Damon X electric motorcycle not only scans its surroundings to warn the rider of hazards, but also transforms to suit the rider’s style with handlebars and footpegs that move.
Damon Motorcycles CEO and founder Jay Giraud will demonstrate their patented collision avoidance system at TechCrunch Sessions: Mobility in San Jose, California, on 10 July 2019.
Their Advanced Warning System for Motorcycles (AWSM) uses sensors to locks on to dozens of objects in 360º around the motorcycle.
It send alerts via 5G to the rider of oncoming threats via visual cues on the instrument panel that looks more like a tablet.
Alerts are also sent via their patented haptic vibration in the handlebars.
The sensor array tracks the speed, direction and velocity of up to 64 objects at once to anticipate an accident.
There are also temperature and moisture sensors to detect changing road conditions.
Damon X transforms
Another interesting feature is how it transforms via electronically powered adjustable ergonomics to match road conditions.
At the touch of a button the handlebars move up or down and the footpegs can adjust to rear set pegs.
“We built what every rider dreams of: a motorcycle that can adapt to the changing road conditions, perfectly suited for inner city commutes, winding back roads and everything in between,” Jay says.
“Having a Damon motorcycle means having an upright commuter bike, a forgiving touring bike and an exhilarating sport bike, all-in-one.”
Test rides
Damon Motorcycles will follow its unveiling with a public tour of North America.
Major police forces are also scheduled to test ride and pre-order Damon’s 360º Advanced Warning System for Motorcycles (AWSM) for their fleets.
There is no word yet on whether the bike will be available for sale to the public or how much it would cost.
However, Damon recently raised $US2.5m in seed funding for their technology which may find its way into other motorcycles.
The company has scheduled test rides for motorcycle manufacturers to consider factory integration on their next generation of motorcycles.
Safer future
Jay says the inherent danger of motorcycles was hampering its future and safer bikes like the Damon X may save motorcycling.
He predicts a future “where the idea of rider accidents being inevitable and unavoidable will be a thing of the past, along with external valve gear and pulley transmissions”.
“Such unheard of levels of safety brings with it a potential for cataclysmic change within the entire motorcycling community, from manufacturer to commuter,” Jay says.