BMW i Vision Amby : More than an e-Bike

“Everywhere you look, apparently established categories are being blown apart – and that’s a good thing. In the future, classifications such as ‘car’, ‘bicycle’ and ‘motorcycle’ should not determine the nature of the products we think up, develop and offer, Rather, this paradigm shift gives us the opportunity to tailor products to people’s lifestyles – as we can see with the BMW i Vision AMBY high-speed pedelec. This vehicle occupies the space between a bicycle and a light motorcycle and allows our customers to decide for themselves which roads or routes they want to travel on through an urban area. They have all the flexibility possible, at the same time as turning the pedals and keeping themselves fit. The modes and clever route selection are intended to make it one of the fastest travel options through a city.” 

Werner Haumayr, Vice President, BMW Group Design Conception

The BMW Group presents the BMW I Vision AMBY, the first high-speed pedelec for urbanists, as a visionary two-wheeled alternative for tomorrow’s urban mobility. From the outside, the BMW I Vision AMBY resembles an e-bike, yet it offers far more functionality. It’s one of five concept vehicles on display at the IAA Mobility show by the BMW Group, which is exhibiting its vision of individual mobility in cities and their environs.  

The BMW Group sees the BMW I Vision AMBY as a desirable mode of transportation in larger cities in the future. The BMW I Vision AMBY has a wide range of applications as a second car for a family or an entry point into the world of pedal-driven, electrified two-wheeled vehicles. Through smart technology related to the three riding modes, it greatly widens the range of use of a traditional e-bike. 

Design 

The BMW I Vision AMBY’s design is characterised by visual lightness and muscular agility. And every aspect suggests it can do more than a standard e-bike. In every way, the frame structure is larger, giving the sense of more strength and stability. The contemporary frame geometry resembles a cross between a race bike and an e-bike. The upper frame tube, which is made up of four sculptural aluminium profiles, is an expressive and modern statement of intent – not just in terms of appearance. The dynamic intent is emphasised by a gently rising sweep in the design. A backpack or laptop bag can be stowed in the space between the profiles. Located just before the handlebars is the smartphone integration pad, which holds the device safely in place using magnets and ensures it is highly visible. 

The battery is situated in the frame’s centre. Depending on the riding mode, the 2,000 Wh battery allows for a range of up to 300 km (186 miles). It recharges in three hours thanks to rapid charging technology. Only when the pedals are turned does the drive unit, which is located near the pedals and is likewise black, provide help. The transmission is integrated into the drive system, and power is transferred via a low-maintenance toothed belt. The rear wheel is connected to the frame by a complex single-sided swinging arm that is otherwise unique to BMW Motorrad. 

The handlebar stem’s design, as part of the frame, has an extremely technical and high-quality feel to it. A thin, horizontal LED light strip is fitted into the wide handlebars, emphasising the frame section’s cutting-edge, technical appearance. Similarly, completely integrated brakes and internally routed wires cement the handlebar area’s atmosphere of technical modernity. The seat post incorporates a vertical LED rear light. An e-ink display beneath it shows the current riding mode. 

For maximum travelling convenience, the rear wheel with central fastening can be readily withdrawn and removed. The wheel in the front suspension fork can also be removed using the traditional screw method. As a result, the design is compact, and the battery may be removed and stored separately, reducing load weight. 

A pedal-driven two-wheeled vehicle delivers several benefits to urban conurbations as a mode of transportation – in terms of zero emissions functioning, traffic area development, and energy efficiency – just by virtue of its fundamental principle. The frame is built of the same anodized secondary aluminium as the BMW I Vision Circular’s main body. Furthermore, elements of the handlebars and battery cover are made of “floating grey polymers,” a recycled plastic also used in the Vision Vehicle’s bumpers. 

Using a specially built software, users may prepare the BMW I Vision AMBY for use, load their stored licence classes, and apply the relevant level of insurance protection on demand. As a result, the app fills the job that a vehicle key once filled. It works in the same way as the Digital Key, which was developed by the BMW Group in an automotive industry first and turns a compatible iPhone into a digital car key, allowing consumers to unlock, lock, and, of course, start their BMW safely and easily. As with the BMW app, other basic features and status queries (such as the current and scheduled charge level) are also available. Before starting off, the electrically adjustable seat post is biometrically optimised to match the profile recorded in the app, with the settings modified according to pre-entered data – such as the user’s height and inside leg measurement. Customers can receive software upgrades and modifications over-the-air at any time. The Vision Vehicle’s smartphone charges inductively on a magnetic bracket located low in the rider’s field of view. 

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