Several motorcycles have electronic suspension that adjusts to the terrain, but Honda has applied for a patent on suspension that works via artificial intelligence to predict and adjust damping.
Their patent application shows a CRF450R trail bike, so it is obviously designed for trail and adventure riding where the terrain can vary substantially.
Some BMW adventure bikes have accelerometers to scan the road surface and electronically adjustable the suspension to suit.
Artificial intelligence
Honda’s patent is similar, but it also anticipates what will happen.
For example if the front wheel comes off the ground, it will compensate for the landing.
We are not sure how the artificial intelligence interprets the terrain, but it does include reference to time, so it can predict what is about to happen.
Maybe it softens the suspension to ease your sore back after you’ve been hitting the trails for several hours!
It uses sensors to measure the fork movement and automatically adjust compression and rebound.
Honda patents
Honda patent for variable riding positionThis is one of many patents Honda has lodged in the past year.
While some of the others are fairly wild ideas, this seems much more sensible and should come to market in the future.
This new patent join the following from Honda over the past year:
- Bikes that respond to your emotions by adjusting throttle and brakes and suspension;
- Active aero where winglets deploy above a certain speed;
- Direct injection;
- A bike with a variable riding position that converts from a sports bike with a crouched riding position to a street bike with an upright position;
- A small-capacity bike with non-ventilated drum brakes;
- A helmet that integrates with the bike and monitors for of an impending rear-ender;
- A helmet that recognises your face when you put your helmet on and acts as a remote key fob to switch on your motorcycle;
- A rider air-conditioner;
- A “climate seat” that blows hot or cool air;
- A leaning trike; and
- A hydrogen-powered motorcycle.