Bob
26th January 2011, 01:34
Motorcycles could be fitted with safety systems that create a ‘bubble of awareness’ around the rider within two years, says a UK research body.
The Motor Industry Research Association (Mira) is undertaking research on how to apply these (Saferider) systems to bikes and how best to alert riders of potential hazards. The systems tested include warnings about speed limits, the tightness of road bends and information about other vehicles to aid lane-changing.
"Saferider takes the driver safety systems that are becoming standard on cars and tries to adapt them to the unique needs of motorcyclists," said Jonathan Moore, an advanced engineering consultant at Mira. "One of the most difficult things is getting the rider's attention," he said. "There's a high level of ambient noise and vibration to deal with."
To deal with this, Mira has been investigating the use of tactile warning systems. “There's a high level of ambient noise and vibration to deal with. We put a motor in the cheek pad of the helmet so if you do not notice the object it will vibrate and give you a tactile warning that there's something to the right or left."
The Motor Industry Research Association (Mira) is undertaking research on how to apply these (Saferider) systems to bikes and how best to alert riders of potential hazards. The systems tested include warnings about speed limits, the tightness of road bends and information about other vehicles to aid lane-changing.
"Saferider takes the driver safety systems that are becoming standard on cars and tries to adapt them to the unique needs of motorcyclists," said Jonathan Moore, an advanced engineering consultant at Mira. "One of the most difficult things is getting the rider's attention," he said. "There's a high level of ambient noise and vibration to deal with."
To deal with this, Mira has been investigating the use of tactile warning systems. “There's a high level of ambient noise and vibration to deal with. We put a motor in the cheek pad of the helmet so if you do not notice the object it will vibrate and give you a tactile warning that there's something to the right or left."