Derbi debuts concept motorcycle with built-in cameras and LCD

We've seen motorcycles with GPS receivers, heads-up displays and airbags, but Spanish manufacturer Derbi looks to be taking motorcycle gadgetry into more dangerous territory, recently unveiling a concept bike tricked out with four cameras and an an LCD monitor. The Mulhacen 659 X-Vision looks to be an impressive enough motorcycle in its own right, but the real excitement comes when you flip on the recording unit and start capturing your ride from every direction, including, it seems, a shot of your own mug -- which should nicely catch the look on your face the moment you fly off into the woods because you've been staring at the screen instead of the road. This being a concept, however, you likely won't be able to get one anytime soon. Of course, it would be a fairly simply task to rig up your own setup on any old motorcycle -- not that we'd ever encourage such a thing.

[telepheedian @ Nov 21st 2006 4:56PM]

That LCD appears to be one of Archos' PMPs.

[Ryan @ Nov 21st 2006 5:07PM]

its an Archos AV500... interesting idea, maybe I could use my AV500 in a similar fashion

[kdawg @ Nov 21st 2006 5:12PM]

I don't see the point.... i mean, your on a motorcycle, if you want to see whats in front of you.... look in front of you.... This is yet another use of technology "because we can"

[Don @ Nov 21st 2006 5:57PM]

I could see a point if you are a track racer and want to gather data about your ride - where you could have done better, gone faster, braked harder, etc...

Other than that? Recipe for a death machine fo' sho'

[dlskier @ Nov 21st 2006 6:53PM]

"if you want to see whats in front of you.... look in front of you...."

That is the rear view judging by the motion blur.

I could see a rear view that was a mirror of the cameras view being helpful, cars on the right of the screen are approaching on your right etc...

[GJP303 @ Nov 21st 2006 5:41PM]

and what happens when it rains? should have thought of that...

[Brian @ Nov 21st 2006 6:45PM]

Nick:

This is a Spanish manufacturer. They have closed course road tracks in Europe (and they're trying to bring them to the US) where it is perfectly legal to run as fast as you can. Your implication is as bad as saying every mp3 is pirated.

And cops sometimes are smart enough to sieze video equipment any of those non-law abiding racers use, and it helps them to prosecute. So why is that a bad thing?

[jc @ Nov 21st 2006 7:21PM]

actually a lot of bikers want this for safety reasons. With cameras on your bike, the biker could show the court who caused the accident with the video evidence. This is why cops have cameras on their cars too, they need evidence.

[[sinz] @ Nov 21st 2006 8:02PM]

Since archos sells that PMP and the cameras to go with it this company is just selling a bike with a neat bracket attached to it? Congratulations Derbi, that's quite the impressive gadget.

[TopDog @ Nov 21st 2006 8:19PM]

Ducati introduced this years ago (2000) when they brought out their MH900e. (See image of very beautiful bike here: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=101783360&imageID=1141334382.) It never went into production (TMK) but it was available very quickly (and I think very popular in Japan) right after the bikes were sold. As for why? If you've ever tried to look through the average motorcycle's mirrors at 60MPH, it ain't too useful. Not to say the video idea is either (not sure) but I'd think a camera and some image stabilization technology could out perform the vibrating reflective glass concept.

[ScooterJP @ Nov 21st 2006 11:22PM]

hmmm, watching Lost at 60mph...

[T_biz @ Nov 22nd 2006 1:41AM]

THIS DOESN'T WORK!
I tried the Archos unit on my bike. Bottom line. Motorcycles and Hard drives don't mix. I am now using the neuros device for a fraction of the cost to record my rides.

[pat @ Nov 22nd 2006 9:37PM]

check out riflevision.com and check out their rearview camera & LCD for a motorcycle. its weather resistant, and special LCD to work in bright daylight and special camera to work at night. Been around for several years.

[Javier @ Nov 23rd 2006 11:21AM]

Hello Sirs I have take part on the development of the Derbi XVISION concept. I like all the comments.
The system works, we have developed a specific support por the device.
Has four cameras and you can watch any place 360�, not only in front of you.
Very useful for Rear view mirror.
You can watch more on www.derbilab.derbi.com

Thanks to all