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NEWS
Honda’s high-tech safety
Japanese manufacturer files patent application for rider warning systemHonda recently filed a patent for a warning system that will notify a rider of approaching vehicles such as a car in a blind spot.
We all know that modern cars are equipped with plenty of safety systems and sensors designed to provide the driver with all sorts of information like blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping, drowsiness detection and radar cruise control. However, motorcycle companies so far haven’t embraced the technology and fitted it to bikes. But this could all be about to change with Honda leading the charge.
Honda used a VFR1200F for the patent illustrations, but the technology could easily be adapted for other models.
Honda’s new system would use a combination of cameras and radar to detect objects such as other vehicles and provide visual and tactile warnings if a rider attempts to change lanes or turn when there’s a vehicle in close proximity.
The sensors maintain a constant 360-degree scan of a motorcycle’s surroundings, detecting when vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles are approaching. When the rider activates a turn signal to indicate a lane change or turn in the same direction as an obstacle, the system provides some tactile feedback by adding resistance to the turn signal switch.
The patent also has a visual indicator showing where the obstacle is relative to the motorcycle. The indicator could be built into a bike’s instrument panel, be a head-up display on the bikes screen, or be a separate device that can be mounted to the upper triple clamp, making it easier to produce as an optional accessory.
The patent also describes a number of small haptic feedback motors (like the ones that make your smartphone vibrate) that can be mounted to a handlebar grip, foot peg, seat cushion or a fuel tank’s knee dents (illustrated by the dashed ovals in the diagram). These motors can create small vibrations in the direction of a detected object, providing a tactile warning.
Now that Honda is looking at it, you can be sure other brands will follow suit and ramp up their R&D departments to fast-track some more high-tech safety.
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Written byBikesales Staff
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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