Ducati announced in 2018 that by 2020 it would add front and rear radar sensors to warn riders of dangers.
Now they have announced the technology will be available in its upcoming Multistrada V4 which has just got into production at their Borgo Panigale factory.
The feature will add blind spot warning and adaptive cruise control, but Ducati calls their technology ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems).
The Multistrada V4 will be the first motorcycle to use front and rear radar technology, though we believe KTM and BMW are not far behind as they have also been working with Bosch to develop similar systems.
Ducati’s most powerful adventure tourer yet will be unveiled on 4 November 2020 and should hit Aussie showrooms in early 2021.
The official photos do not reveal the bike, only the radar sensors front and rear and the compact and lightweight Bosch controller module.
Each radar has compact dimensions (70 x 60 x 28 mm, similar to an action camera) and weighs only 190 grams.
Ducati has been working on radar tech since 216 when they collaborated with the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering of the Politecnico di Milano.
So how does it work?
The radar positioned in the front of the vehicle controls the operation of the ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control), which uses brakes and throttle to automatically adjust the distance (selectable on four levels) from other vehicles when riding at a speed between 30-160km/h.
“This car-derived system has been evolved and developed according to the dynamics and ergonomics of a two-wheeled vehicle,” Ducati says.
“In particular, the authority of the system in terms of deceleration and acceleration has been limited in order to ensure the rider can maintain constant control of the vehicle in any situation.
“The system allows for more comfortable riding, especially on long motorway journeys.”
The rear radar detects vehicles in the blind spot and flashes a warning signal on the instruments.
Ducati filed a patent application in 2017 for the control algorithms.
The fourth-generation Multistrada will be powered by the same V4 engine as in the Panigale V4 and Streetfighter V4, although it will be substantially detuned for adventure riding.
The Panigale V4 has from 157.5kW (211.2hp) of power to 174.5kW (234hp) in the R version, while the Streetfighter is slightly detuned to 153kW (208hp).
The Multistrada V4 will have 126kW of output (179hp).
More engine details will be unveiled next week.