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BMW’s Minimalist People Mover

This is sort of like the corporate version of looking inside someone’s workshop to see what kind of nifty little jigs they’ve built for themselves to simplify production. Upon learning that some of their factory and logistics employees walk up to 12 kilometers a day inside their facilities, BMW’s Group Research and Technology House turned their engineering might towards creating a personal transportation device. The Personal Mover Concept that they came up with is pure form-follows-function.

“It had to be flexible, easy to maneuver, zippy, electric, extremely agile and tilt-proof – and, at the same time, suitable for carrying objects,” explains Richard Kamissek, head of BMW’s Operations Central Aftersales Logistics Network.

The body platform of the Personal Mover Concept is 60 centimeters wide and 80 centimeters long, so that a person can stand comfortably on it and still have room for larger, heavy objects. Two wheels at the rear corners of the platform and two support wheels at the front ensure that it does not tip over, even in tight bends. The two front support wheels rotate 360°, which greatly increases maneuverability. The handlebar and drive wheel are sunk into the middle of the body platform at the front.

The handlebar contains the entire electrical system, the battery and the drive wheel, and can be rotated 90° to the left and right, allowing the Personal Mover Concept to turn on the spot. A thumb throttle for regulating speed is integrated into the right grip. This control is used to start the Personal Mover Concept, switch the light on and off, select the driving mode or check battery status. For safety, there is also a bell for warning other employees. The left grip operates the brake and a dead man’s control.

The PMC uses regenerative braking and can hit 25 KPH (15.5 MPH). It can be plugged into a regular outlet for recharging, and the battery’s good for 20 to 30 kilometers.

While the PMC is real–if BMW Blog is to be believed–apparently it has yet to be batch-produced and distributed. Says Kamissek, “We hope to start using it as soon as possible!”