(Contributor post)
The daily lives of people have always been heavily influenced by the technologies that are currently available to them. Whether it’s in the way that people are so heavily reliant on their smartphones to get them through the day, or in how people use vehicles to move from point to point efficiently is proof of how important technology is to the average person.
One piece of technology that is often heralded to be a technological leap comes in the form of the Internet of Things. Imagine a world where devices are able to share information and interact with one another. This creates a whole ecosystem similar to that of Apple and Samsung in how their devices are able to synergize with each other in order to create a seamless user experience that not only increases convenience, but also productivity. But first things first, what exactly is the Internet of Things, and how does this technology affect motorcycle safety?
The Internet of Things
Simply put, the Internet of Things refers to the concept of connecting devices to the internet. These devices can be anything from cell phones, headphones, lamps, microwaves, washing machines, etc. This interconnectivity is what allows these devices to interact with each other. Imagine opening a fridge and finding that the milk’s run out, and the fridge suggests to make an online purchase for milk. Or how a person can open their garage door, turn on lights, and heat dinner through a microwave, all while driving home from work. This interconnectivity is what allows for an unprecedented level of productivity and efficiency.
How Does This Relate To Motorcycle Safety?
Simply put, a motorcycle equipped with smart sensors can work in synergy with bio-sensors that can measure a rider’s health and it can also detect other vehicles to help reduce the risk of an accident. Data such as speed, road conditions, weather, and obstacles can be used to alert a rider of potential dangers ahead.
IoT-capable motorcycles might even be able to provide real-time diagnostics on the bike’s condition by collecting data from the bike’s sensors. A faulty part can be easily detected by the bike’s sensors, which would then prompt the bike to alert the rider that there’s something wrong with the bike. This extends to aspects of the bike such as suspension, oil levels, engine condition, etc. It can also be used by manufacturers to provide timely recall information, or to give riders a hassle-free diagnostic without the need to bring the bike to a mechanic’s garage.
The Human Factor.
While all these conveniences might sound nice, the danger here lies in the fact that riders might become too reliant on technology, and in turn, neglect the very basics of road safety. Even with all these pieces of technology, the ultimate determinant of whether a rider makes it to his destination safely will always be his decision-making skills, sobriety, and riding skill.
We should never forget that technology is merely a tool, and that it can be used or misused, just like any other tool. An overdependence on these technologies should not be a reason to have our responsibilities on the road diminished, especially considering the fact that according to these Pensacola Personal Injury attorneys, one of the leading causes of car accidents is distracted driving.
The road is especially dangerous to motorcycle riders because of the fact that motorcycles inherently have less protection than cars. While new safety tech is always good to have, riders shouldn’t rely too much on technology, especially when that piece of tech is merely in its infancy stage.