Safety is one of the most urgent challenges in the
motorcycle market. Whether smart assistance systems or connectivity packages,
Bosch offers many solutions that make roads safer for motorcyclists. And with its
innovative research projects, it is already planning for the next stages of
development.
Sliding mitigation research project:
Whether wet leaves, an oil spill, or gravel on the road surface, wheels begin to
slip sideways if they can no longer apply sufficient lateral force in a curve. In
situations such as these, motorcyclists have practically no chance of righting their
bikes. Ideally, keeping them safely on course would require applying additional
external lateral force. This is the idea behind the sliding mitigation Bosch is
developing in a research project. Like a magic hand, it keeps the motorcycle on
track and considerably reduces the risk of a fall. A sensor detects sideways
wheel slip. If a certain value is exceeded, gas is released from a gas accumulator
of the type used in passenger-car airbags. The gas flows into the tank adapter
and is vented in a certain direction through a nozzle. This reverse thrust keeps
the motorcycle on track.
Radar-based assistance systems:
Giving motorcycles radar as a sensory organ enables these new motorcycle
assistance and safety functions while providing an accurate picture of the
vehicle’s surroundings. As a result, these assistance functions not only increase
safety, they also enhance enjoyment and convenience by making life easier for
riders.
- ACC adaptive cruise control
Riding in heavy traffic and maintaining the correct distance to the vehicle in
front takes a great deal of concentration and is strenuous over longer
periods. ACC adjusts the vehicle speed to the flow of traffic and maintains
the necessary safe following distance. This can effectively prevent rear-end
collisions caused by insufficient distance to the vehicle in front. And not only
does ACC offer riders more convenience, it also allows them to concentrate
more on the road, particularly in high-density traffic. - Forward collision warning system
In road traffic, even the briefest lapse in concentration can have serious
consequences. Bosch has developed a collision warning system for
motorcycles to reduce the risk of a rear-end collision or to mitigate its
consequences. The system is active as soon as the vehicle starts and it
supports the rider in all relevant speed ranges. If the system detects that
another vehicle is dangerously close and the rider does not react to the
situation, it warns the rider by way of an acoustic or optical signal.
- Blind-spot detection
This system keeps a lookout in all directions to help motorcyclists change
lanes safely. A radar sensor serves as the blind-spot recognition system’s
electronic eye, registering objects in hard-to-see areas. Whenever there is a
vehicle in the rider’s blind spot, the technology warns them by way of an
optical signal – for example, in the rear-view mirror.
ABS:
Since 1984, Bosch has been continuously perfecting motorcycle ABS technology
in order to make this important safety technology available for all vehicle classes
in every market. According to Bosch accident research, roughly one in four
motorcycle accidents involving fatalities and injuries could be prevented if all twowheelers
were fitted with ABS. Worldwide, more and more countries and regions,
including the EU, Japan, Taiwan, and Brazil, are mandating motorcycle ABS.
Since April 2018, motorcycle ABS is mandatory in India for all new two-wheeler
types with an engine displacement above 125 cc. ABS 10 was designed
specifically to meet the requirements for motorized two-wheelers in emerging
markets.
MSC:
MSC motorcycle stability control is the world’s first all-in-one safety system for
two-wheelers. By monitoring two-wheeler parameters such as lean angle, the
system can instantaneously adjust its electronic braking and acceleration
interventions to suit the current riding status. In this way, the Bosch system canprevent the bike from lowsiding or righting itself suddenly and uncontrollably
when braking in bends, which is where the majority of motorcycle accidents
occur. The new 6D sensor in the MSC system is the smallest and lightest design
on the market. It significantly improves mounting flexibility, and is less prone to
vibration.
Motorcycle-to-car communication:
By enabling motorcycles and cars to communicate with each other, Bosch is
creating a digital shield for motorcyclists. Up to ten times a second, vehicles
within a radius of several hundred meters exchange information about vehicle
type, speed, position, and direction of travel. Long before a motorcycle comes
into view, this technology warns drivers and the sensors in their vehicles that a
motorcycle is approaching. This allows them to drive better and more
defensively. The public WLAN standard (ITS G5) is used as the basis for the
exchange of data between motorcycles and cars. Transmission times of just a
few milliseconds between transmitter and receiver mean that participating road
users can generate and transmit important information relating to the traffic
situation.
Emergency call, breakdown call, and information call:
On the basis of intelligent crash algorithms, eCall detects when a motorcyclist is
involved in a crash, automatically transmits an emergency call, and informs the
emergency services about the type of vehicle and its position. In the event that
the two-wheeler breaks down, the bCall independently contacts the repair shop
and sends the necessary data. The iCall is a helpful assistant on any road. This
makes accessing service information – such as the location of the nearest gas
station – simple and straightforward
