New 360-degree Detection Tech Could Make Bikes A Lot Safer

The new camera-based tech from Ride Vision is capable of detecting and warning riders of impending disasters

“Organ donors, irresponsible, rash riders” are just a few of the many names that bikers are often called. However, it’s not always the biker who’s at fault. Despite having a lot more safety equipment on board, car drivers often fail to notice riders, which more often than not, leads to fatal accidents. Now, though, there is a safety feature in store for motorcyclists that would warn riders of impending disasters.

The proposition? A 360-degree detection system for motorcycles from an Israeli startup ‘Ride Vision’. So how does it work? It’s a pretty simple concept actually. The setup uses two cameras with a 180-degree viewing angle, at the front and the rear, along with a central ECU that uses an algorithm to detect possible threats. The ECU then alerts the rider by flashing lights on board the motorcycle. However, the system only warns the rider for threats, unlike advanced radar-based safety systems on some cars, which can take certain precautionary measures on their own.

Moreover, the sheer size of the system could be another downside. Considering the mass of the motorcycle, the system would have to be small, compact and light in weight. Not to mention, the placement and viewing angle of the cameras, as no two bikes would be identical. All this would essentially mean that an entirely new system needs to be developed for bikes which translates to thousands of hours of testing and development, which, in turn, could take years. We really hope that's not the case. On the bright side though, the company did manage to bag $ 2.5 million (~ Rs 17 crore) worth of funding, which is being put to good use.

Manufacturers like Ducati and KTM are already developing futuristic laser and radar-based technologies, which could help avoid accidents and collisions. Read more about them here.