Honda Motorcycles look like being the first to introduce emergency braking that automatically stops a motorcycle if it detects an imminent crash.
In 2015, the United Nations #STOPTHECRASH campaign called for autonomous emergency braking on all bikes.
The system activates usually at slow speeds if an obstacle is sensed in front of the bike.
There are already similar systems in many cars, including Honda, which has now filed patents that show their system would work on motorcycles.
In their cars, it’s called a Collision Mitigation Braking System.
It uses various sensors and radars to detect an imminent crash.
Their patents say it would be linked to the front and rear brakes controlled by an automated system.
If the rider doesn’t apply the brakes, the system begins to apply rear brake pressure, determines the surface traction, then starts applying the front brake. It will continue until the bike stops or the obstacle is no longer in front.
If the rider does apply the brakes, the automated system would apply maximum pressure, taking away the onus for riders to learn how to perform emergency braking.
LEARN HOW TO DO EMERGENCY BRAKING
While automated braking is in its early stages in motorcycles, it has been around for the past decade in cars.
Once the systems have been fine-tuned by motorcycle companies such as Honda and BMW, as well as automotive technology providers such as Bosch, Continental and Denso, we can expect to see them introduced in many top-priced bikes.
The next step would be mandatory fitting.
Don’t think it won’t happen.
ABS and ESC (electronic stability control) is mandatory in cars in most parts of the world and it’s quickly coming to motorcycles.
More than one in three new motorcycles manufactured in Europe is now fitted with ABS and Japan, Europe, India, Brazil and Taiwan have already mandated anti-lock brakes on designated motorcycles.
- Should ABS and emergency braking be mandatory on motorcycles? Leave your comments below.