For some people, the most terrifying thing about riding anything with two wheels isn’t being vulnerable to bugs, weather, or large vehicles; it’s the fear of having it tip over. Now there’s an e-motorcycle planned for production in the coming months that could fix that problem.
Singapore-based OMOWAY describes its upcoming OMO-X electric motorbike as the world’s first mass-produced self-balancing electric motorcycle, and it’s loaded up with the tech you’d expect from a company calling itself the “Tesla of Motorcycles.” The startup describes some of the bells and whistles under the hood in a press release:
At the heart of this innovation is the proprietary HALO Pilot system. It masterfully combines vision processing with advanced OMO self-balance technology, allowing the motorcycle to maintain equilibrium even in low-speed traffic. HALO Pilot brings car-like convenience to two wheels with features like adaptive cruise control (ACC), one-touch parking, and summon functions. OMOWAY’s HALO Link Connect redefines smart mobility. It boasts automotive-grade cybersecurity and offers seamless features like a “digital key” for seamless unlocking and remote authorization. The system also integrates groundbreaking V2X Connect technology, providing a truly innovative experience through a 10.25-inch smart cockpit that integrates real-time navigation and charging station data, eliminating the risk caused by mobile phone holders. Plus, with vehicle-to-vehicle communication, riders could enjoy group rides and route navigation sharing.
Because of its self-balancing capability, the OMO-X has three modes, including a Scooter Mode, which OMOWAY says “subverts the mediocre impression of traditional pedal motors.” But in that setting, it’s effectively a moped that’s perfectly suitable for one person wearing a backpack, but not much more. In Street Mode, a few add-on accessories anticipate additional loads and different speeds so the software can adapt. Finally, GT Mode has even more snap-on accessories for luggage and changes settings accordingly.
Depending on the mode, the OMO-X adapts its gyroscope for conditions and speeds, trying to counter the rider’s moves to stay upright and keep ahead of any shifts in weight or surface. It’s trying to take the thought of balancing out of the rider’s thoughts, so it’s ideal for new or casual motorcyclists. OMOWAY also says its cloud-based software tries to learn certain routes so it no longer has to anticipate road conditions.
The company was founded by a co-founder of Chinese electric car manufacturer XPeng, and OMOWAY has its base in Singapore, along with a development center in Guangzhou, China, and production in Jakarta.
In January, OMOWAY said it secured “tens of millions of US dollars” in funding to produce the OMO-X. It did not state exactly how many tens of millions, but some of it comes from Hui Capital, which was founded by one of the co-founders of another Chinese EV giant, BYD.
OMOWAY says that while it sees Southeast Asia as a significant market, it also intends to offer it worldwide as an alternative to other two-wheeled e-mobility vehicles. OMOWAY’s website says pre-orders will start at the end of April, before an official launch in May.
While it’s not a guarantee the OMO-X will stay on schedule for a Southeast Asia launch, let alone a target on when, or if, it reaches the rest of the world, based on the speedy and impressive technological advances its backers have made on China’s electric cars, the concept could pave the way for more e-motorbikes like this.
