Motorbikes 'to get safe driving aids'

[cheshirecat]

Could be like a christmas tree lighting up in your face, what with all the warnings.

here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12266406)

[oneofsix]

I don't see this as practical yet but nice thatt someone is thinking about it.
There were 2 comments in the article that were interesting in other ways.
The first was;
"we really don't want motorcycle riders looking down at the handlebars any more than they need to."
How many have used something similar when discussing their speed vs safety? :yes:

The 2nd is;
"Statistics gathered by Mira suggest that about 22% of all road accident fatalities involve bike riders and it is the only mode of transport which is seeing a rise in the number of deaths."
It has been argued that the reduction in road deaths has been more due to improvements in car design and safety features rather than policing initiatives. The above quote, when read in the context of the article, tends to confirm that it is the improvement in car safety that has reduced the road toll, IMHO.

[shrub]

Could be like a christmas tree lighting up in your face, what with all the warnings.

here (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-12266406)

I have safe driving aids on my motorcycle. They help me identify traffic hazards, advises me of the safe speed for corners, warns me of dangerous road conditions and sometimes even tell me when a moble tax collector is around. They're called eyes and a brain, and as long as I keep them switched on and connected constantly they do a pretty good job.

[simpy1]

I do like the idea of sensors on the helmet and a vibrating liner - it'd be like constant radar!

I know it shouldn't replace eyes, ears & mirrors but it could help with awareness when there is a lot of traffic. It makes me think of how much better I was at Xbox games (e.g. Call of Duty) when I had surround sound - great to know where other people are at all times!

[avgas]

I currently have no rear view mirrors, and no front indicators on my bike and had a great ride yesterday.
I suspect this thread is not for me.

[shrub]

I do like the idea of sensors on the helmet and a vibrating liner - it'd be like constant radar!

I know it shouldn't replace eyes, ears & mirrors but it could help with awareness when there is a lot of traffic. It makes me think of how much better I was at Xbox games (e.g. Call of Duty) when I had surround sound - great to know where other people are at all times!

Actually the idea scares me. If we have too many aids we're likely to get lazy and switch off the most important aid of them all - our brains. And worst of all it's a slippery slope to technology that limits the speed of the bike to the "recommended" speed for a corner and the open road speed limit. Plus needless acceleration, especially "dangerous" acceleration would be limited by the computer.

No thanks, give me fully manual.

[Scuba_Steve]

this isn't the same system where the guy using it in POC demo got wiped out as soon as he started off is it?

[steve_t]

I wonder if more females will take up riding with the introduction of vibrating seats :shutup:

[MSTRS]

Electronic aids FTW. Not.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/insane-bike-test-epic-fail_2040734.htm

[SMOKEU]

The only extra safety aids I'd want is a good ABS.

[simpy1]

No thanks, give me fully manual.

Oh I am all for manual/derestricted bikes. And I agree with continuing to use brains. That's essential.

But think about fighter jets - those guys have heads-up displays, radar, all kinds of sensors. They're not limiting the experience, they're enhancing it. I would love to have the choice: some days I could ride on an old bike with a normal helmet and enjoy the scenery. Then in some situations (for example, commuting) I could wear the hi-tech helmet and have a HUD which warns me of nearby hazards (maybe a special beep for RAV4s har har), superimposes the route to take to avoid traffic jams, or lets me know if the bike isn't running 100%...all that stuff. Or for racing, it could superimpose data (name of rider, whether last lap was faster or slower than yours) on top of bikes in front of you, or let you know lap times. The future could be fun.

[MSTRS]

Oh I am all for manual/derestricted bikes. And I agree with continuing to use brains. That's essential.

But think about fighter jets - those guys have heads-up displays, radar, all kinds of sensors. They're not limiting the experience, they're enhancing it. I would love to have the choice: some days I could ride on an old bike with a normal helmet and enjoy the scenery. Then in some situations (for example, commuting) I could wear the hi-tech helmet and have a HUD which warns me of nearby hazards (maybe a special beep for RAV4s har har), superimposes the route to take to avoid traffic jams, or lets me know if the bike isn't running 100%...all that stuff.

We're not talking 'threats' 20/50/80 kms away, though, are we? The best threat detector a rider can have is his brain. If hazard awareness is taken over by a computer/sensors, the rider will not have his awareness boosted. Rather, he will start to lose it.
EG. A car parked on the side of the road may not register as a threat to the computer, so it ignores it. But did it see the child running out from behind it? If the rider has become reliant on his EWS, he won't be considering that possibility...

[bogan]

Actually the idea scares me. If we have too many aids we're likely to get lazy and switch off the most important aid of them all - our brains. And worst of all it's a slippery slope to technology that limits the speed of the bike to the "recommended" speed for a corner and the open road speed limit. Plus needless acceleration, especially "dangerous" acceleration would be limited by the computer.

No thanks, give me fully manual.

I agree with this, however, perhaps there could be some systems which could do the opposite. A critical thinking system sorta thing, which tells you just how raggedy you took that corner, or that despite having the right of way, that truck almost took you out. Or that when you drifted into the wrong lane, your sight lines would have given only 1.3s to get back in yours had a car come the other way....

Or some passive ones, like ABS and traction control would be of great benefit I reckon. And these could be turned off for those of sufficient skill, or of a passionate belief in Darwinism.

[simpy1]

I don't agree that people will stop using their brains! Any technology like this should be designed on the principle of enhancing our senses, not replacing them.

Imagine if the helmet could highlight debris on the road far in the distance, and even identify it (a tyre on the road, or a piece of metal)? Or if you could detect animals (deer/sheep) in the bush next to the road, which could be about to run on to the road. I think rejecting even the consideration of new safety technology for bikes is being a bit stubborn...

[bogan]

Or wire up a little red light on the dash, call it the hazard light, whenever it lights up you gotta be extra careful cos there are hazards round. No fancy electronics or sensors needed either, it gets wired to the ignition and is always on when the bike is :bleh: same could be added for cars too!

[MSTRS]

I don't agree that people will stop using their brains! Any technology like this should be designed on the principle of enhancing our senses, not replacing them.

Imagine if the helmet could highlight debris on the road far in the distance, and even identify it (a tyre on the road, or a piece of metal)? Or if you could detect animals (deer/sheep) in the bush next to the road, which could be about to run on to the road. I think rejecting even the consideration of new safety technology for bikes is being a bit stubborn...

The idea of it is appealing. But I think the reality would be as I said...riders would stop thinking for themselves.

[bogan]

I don't agree that people will stop using their brains! Any technology like this should be designed on the principle of enhancing our senses, not replacing them.

Imagine if the helmet could highlight debris on the road far in the distance, and even identify it (a tyre on the road, or a piece of metal)? Or if you could detect animals (deer/sheep) in the bush next to the road, which could be about to run on to the road. I think rejecting even the consideration of new safety technology for bikes is being a bit stubborn...

and what happens when the system doesn't see the debri? will the rider look as hard for it as without the system, or will they assume there is none?

[shrub]

and what happens when the system doesn't see the debri? will the rider look as hard for it as without the system, or will they assume there is none?

That's something that worries me too.

[Grasshopperus]

So these guys want to give motorcyclists AIDS?

I think I'd prefer to just be friends.

[Spearfish]

That's something that worries me too.

The other side to that is when new riders have only known bikes with these safety aids and cant function very well without them.
Cars have been going down that path for years and look how remote to their task drivers have become.

[oneofsix]

The other side to that is when new riders have only known bikes with these safety aids and cant function very well without them.
Cars have been going down that path for years and look how remote to their task drivers have become.

Valid point. Can't find it at the moment but there is an argument that the biggest improvement to car crash stats would come by replacing the steering wheel airbag with a steel spike. It's to do with the perception of danger.
If the aids assist in perceiving the danger then ok but if it remotes the rider from the danger, and this is were cars tend to have gone, then not good.

[steve_t]

Oh I am all for manual/derestricted bikes. And I agree with continuing to use brains. That's essential.

But think about fighter jets - those guys have heads-up displays, radar, all kinds of sensors. They're not limiting the experience, they're enhancing it. I would love to have the choice: some days I could ride on an old bike with a normal helmet and enjoy the scenery. Then in some situations (for example, commuting) I could wear the hi-tech helmet and have a HUD which warns me of nearby hazards (maybe a special beep for RAV4s har har), superimposes the route to take to avoid traffic jams, or lets me know if the bike isn't running 100%...all that stuff. Or for racing, it could superimpose data (name of rider, whether last lap was faster or slower than yours) on top of bikes in front of you, or let you know lap times. The future could be fun.

HUD to my visor would be sweet :yes:

[st00ji]

But did it see the child running out from behind it? If the rider has become reliant on his EWS, he won't be considering that possibility...

thats easy, ban kids! legislation is all thats needed.

[shrub]

HUD to my visor would be sweet :yes:

Can't imagine anything worse. I don't want to be distracted from reading road surface, traffic, corners etc. Having my speed and RPM flashing in front of me would be a hazard - if I want to see them I look at them when it's safe to do so.

[The Stranger]

Electronic aids FTW. Not.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/insane-bike-test-epic-fail_2040734.htm

Classic - obviously missed the hot reporter distraction branch.

[awa355]

Christ! I'm glad I'll never be able to afford a new bike if this is what they are going to have built into them. For 44yrs, I 've gotten by using my gray matter. If I'm ever that incompetent that I need something artificial telling me what is in front, judgeing my speed for me, suggesting decisions then I have no place on the road.

I ride a bike because the pleasure of flowing through corners comes from my intake and assessment of my surroundings. Facing and beating the risks.

If I wanted to eliminate all risks of real riding, I would sell the bike and buy a simulator.

[Bliksem]

"One system tested works out if riders are travelling too fast to negotiate upcoming bends. Mira has developed software that acts as a "co-pilot" which, with the help of a digital map, knows what speed they should be travelling to make it round a bend. "

NZ is way ahead! They have a big yellow thingie at each bend with speed in big black letters. Some even have flashing lights that read "Slow Down"

[cheshirecat]

My personal preference is Honda's electronic abs system, which if the reports are anything to go by, mean one can emergency stop on loose sand if need be. And, and, and - something alerting to vehicles comming up behind very fast just outside mirror range - you know that part of a second you haven't glanced behind because of all the impending destruction up front and some plonker's parked their front wing just behind your leg.

Plus of course a smokey bear alert system.

[steve_t]

Can't imagine anything worse. I don't want to be distracted from reading road surface, traffic, corners etc. Having my speed and RPM flashing in front of me would be a hazard - if I want to see them I look at them when it's safe to do so.

Hmmm... you may have a point. I guess HUD on the windscreen of BMW's or fighter jets is a bit different to the visor which is only cm from your eyes. In saying this, the short distance may be helpful if they can make it so the HUD is almost invisible when you're focused a long way down the road. I guess having to change your focus to the inside of the visor could be almost as dangerous as looking down and thus there'd be no point. Hazard detection as in the Green Hornet movie would be interesting though

[simpy1]

I definitely was not thinking speed & rpm. I was thinking of hazard identification, 'augmented reality' style.

Like, that randy unchained goat on the roadside is highlighted in red. Or an outline flashes around the upcoming tar snake. Or it just creates the illusion of arrows/lines on the road that direct you to the nearest pie shop.

For the third time - this is not about ceasing to think! Plus it's years away anyway, so the purists have nothing to fear just yet.

[bogan]

I definitely was not thinking speed & rpm. I was thinking of hazard identification, 'augmented reality' style.

Like, that randy unchained goat on the roadside is highlighted in red. Or an outline flashes around the upcoming tar snake. Or it just creates the illusion of arrows/lines on the road that direct you to the nearest pie shop.

For the third time - this is not about ceasing to think! Plus it's years away anyway, so the purists have nothing to fear just yet.

Put it this way, how many people with gps are aware of the name of the roads they go down? similar with this, the rider wouldn't have to look for hazards anymore, in fact gravel etc that wasn't highlighted in read probably wouldn't look like a hazard to the rider anymore.

[Old Steve]

I completely agree they should develop these systems.

Then they should fit them to all cars so ter drivers will recognise that there is a bike in the vicinity so that they shouldn't change lanes, pull out from a parking space, or enter an intersection before they actually sight the bike.

As for those "Slow Down" electronic signs, there's on on the way to the Kaimais and I make it light up "Slow Down" every time I go through the corner on my bike. And I'm on my 6R, have only been riding for 11 months, and I'm only on a GV250 Hyosung. Just shows the difference between cars and bikes, or that they've got it set at an extremely low threshhold speed..