There seems to be an arms race among manufacturer to research and develop the first fully functional rider safety technology (not that we’re complaining). While KTM has its sensors and Bosch… well, its rockets, Suzuki has taken a relatively simple yet effective way to save its riders. Leaked patent images show that the Japanese bike maker is working on a radar-based collision avoidance system. Wasn’t Ducati working on something similar? Yes and no. While Ducati’s crash avoidance system works on a similar principle, it also additionally adjusts the throttle or self-brake, in case of a hairy situation.
Suzuki’s radar tech, on the other hand, works more like a reflector. To this end, the sensors will be placed in key strategic areas of the motorcycle. These radar reflectors will notify cars of your position, even if you aren’t in their field of vision. However, this system will only seem to work with cars that already come with a crash avoidance system. This is something only high-end cars come equipped with right now. On the plus side, considering it’s only a reflector-based system, Suzuki’s radar tech will not draw any power to function. You will also be able to retrofit it onto any existing motorcycle. Despite its lack of functionality, if Suzuki manages to price it correctly, we don’t see any reason not to recommend it. After all, what’s the harm.
Motorcycles, and indeed, any two-wheeler on the road isn't always visible to other motorists, and being in the blind spot of a car driver is not always a good sensation, when you realise that the car may suddenly change lanes or brake without noticing a motorcycle in the vicinity. And if sensors can warn other motorists about the presence of a motorcycle, then it's only good news, because it increases a motorcycle's visibility on the road to other motorists. That is precisely what the new Suzuki patents seem to be doing. The radar reflectors in the patent images will work in tandem with advanced automobiles, like self-driven cars, who can sense the presence of a motorcycle. Now, these don't seem to be designed to make the motorcycle brake or take any evasive action sensing a potential collision, but even if it's just warning other cars of the motorcycle's presence, it may seem like a good idea to have such technology installed.
Radar-based safety technology isn't all-new. Bosch has been known to be working on such ARAS for some time now, and motorcycle brands like KTM and BMW Motorrad have been testing such technology, and possibly radar-based motorcycle technology will debut sometime later this year, possibly at the EICMA show in Milan. While the Suzuki patents may not be hi-tech radar-based systems which trigger the motorcycle's electronic safety systems, like braking, cruise control and deceleration, these do go a long way in making motorcycles more visible on the road. And that's a better thing to have than relying entirely on the rider's reflexes when a car does not sense the presence of a motorcycle in its vicinity.
The radar reflectors seem to be still in concept stage, but the images seem to imply that these reflectors may be available as a bolt-on system; so as more and more cars come equipped with advanced driver assist systems, it may be an easy retrofit, even on older or current motorcycles. And yes, these reflectors can be a good pre-emptive safety measure even for human error on the part of car drivers - who may be distracted by a passenger, or even a cellphone.
Something out of a science-fiction movie? Well...
It’ll alert cars of your presence.
It won’t need external power to operate.
Riders will be able to retro-fit it to any existing motorcycle.
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