Motorcycle Cruise Control With Smarts?
This is the kind of situation where these systems would kick in.
I’m writing this on Sunday and there is an article in today’s Denver Post that really caught my eye. Maybe you read it, if you subscribe, but it seems most people don’t these days so I figure it’s worth pointing out. The article is titled “Smart cruise control comes to motorcycles.” (It’s actually reprinted from the New York Times.)
According to this article, both BMW and Ducati are introducing this system on bikes. The system controls throttle and braking.
No surprise to any of us, the challenges of creating something of this sort for motorcycles is vastly different from creating the same for cars. As the article notes, “because motorcycles don’t have automatic transmissions, they could stall or even fall over if the technology were allowed to bring them to a complete stop.” So these systems only work if you’re going more than 20 mph.
The systems use radar sensors to keep track of vehicles ahead of you. Mainly they will latch onto a vehicle in front of you and match your speed to that. If there is no vehicle ahead of you it will cruise at whatever speed you set it for, up to 100 mph.
The systems are only programmed to pay attention to vehicles in your lane moving in the same direction. If you’re at an intersection and someone pulls out in front of you it will not register, so hit your own brakes!
According to the article, the project manager at Ducati said the system “is a convenience system, not a safety system; it is there to enhance comfort during highway travels.”
Obviously, the fact that motorcycles lean makes for big differences than systems for cars. BMW’s director of product development is quoted saying that “the system must be able to detect cars and other motorcycles while it is leaned over.” When you’re leaned over above certain speeds both systems will slow you down, with Ducati pushing that point all the way to 50 degrees of lean.
So that’s just a brief overview. If you’re interested I would definitely recommend you read the whole article.
Biker Quote for Today
I Googled my symptoms . . . turns out I just needed to go ride.
December 8th, 2020 at 12:02 pm
I am at a loss as to why this technology needs to be on motorcycles. If safety is the issue I believe education and awareness for automobile drivers would be better.
December 17th, 2020 at 2:01 am
Anything that makes bikes safer is welcome. <3