Motorbikes 'to get safe driving aids'

**cheshirecat** · 1st February 2011, 07:40

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

here

**oneofsix** · 1st February 2011, 08:00

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?

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** · 1st February 2011, 08:01

Originally Posted by cheshirecat

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

here

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** · 1st February 2011, 08:17

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** · 1st February 2011, 08:25

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** · 1st February 2011, 08:26

Originally Posted by 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!

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** · 1st February 2011, 08:33

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** · 1st February 2011, 08:34

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

**MSTRS:Me** · 1st February 2011, 08:38

Electronic aids FTW. Not.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/insa...il_2040734.htm

**SMOKEU** · 1st February 2011, 09:00

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

**simpy1** · 1st February 2011, 09:01

Originally Posted by shrub

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:Me** · 1st February 2011, 09:17

Originally Posted by simpy1

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** · 1st February 2011, 09:19

Originally Posted by shrub

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** · 1st February 2011, 09:25

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** · 1st February 2011, 09:29

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

same could be added for cars too!