In a recent viral video shared online, an elderly man from Punjab was seen sitting atop a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in a rather unconventional manner. Instead of facing forward and gripping the handlebars, the man was seated sideways with his legs folded, resembling a throne-like posture. What made this encounter truly remarkable was the apparent autonomy of the motorcycle, which seemed to be navigating itself down the road.
Captured in an 11-second clip, the footage showcased the motorcycle cruising along with the man seated comfortably atop it, without any visible control from the rider. The scene was recorded by an observer from a car traveling adjacent to the unique Bullet rider. As the video progressed, it became evident that the car eventually came to a halt at the roadside, while the motorcycle continued its autonomous journey down the road.
Curiosity about how the motorcycle could seemingly ride itself without any input from the rider led to an exploration of the underlying science. Similar to the stabilizing effect observed in a spinning top, motorcycles utilize gyroscopic forces generated by the spinning wheels to maintain balance. Additionally, the design of the motorcycle’s front wheel, tilted slightly forward, contributes to its natural tendency to stay upright and travel in a straight line. Thus, while it may appear as though the motorcycle has been equipped with advanced autopilot technology akin to airplanes and Tesla cars, its autonomous behavior can be attributed to the inherent physics of its design.