6 Motorcycle Safety Tech Trends to Watch in 2021
Riding a motorcycle has a plethora of benefits. To begin, you save money on fuel. Motorcycles can also be less expensive to operate and maintain than cars, and they eliminate the worry of getting stuck in traffic.
These distinct advantages have made motorcycle riding an appealing option for many. As a result, more technological innovations are being developed to meet the growing needs of motorcycle customers.
Motorcycle safety is one area that has seen significant technological advancements.
And with justification! Motorcycle riders are overrepresented in traffic fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Motorcyclists, in comparison to car occupants, are unprotected and more susceptible to fatal injuries in road crashes.
Finally, nothing beats high-quality safety equipment and proper training for keeping you safe on the road while riding. However, technology can help prevent motorcycle accidents and protect you from catastrophic injuries in the event that something does go wrong.
Here, we'll examine notable motorcycle technology trends that have a direct impact on keeping riders safe on the road.
AR helmet technology
A helmet is a necessary piece of safety equipment for any motorcycle rider. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), wearing a helmet reduces the risk of sustaining a head injury by 69 percent during a crash.
Helmet manufacturers have embraced technology to improve the effectiveness of this protective gear. For instance, some helmets include audio and Bluetooth capabilities that enable them to connect to your phone via an app. This enables you to hear navigation instructions and interact with other riders.
Other manufacturers are developing helmets with integrated augmented reality (AR). These helmets, which include GPS maps and a speedometer, will help reduce distracted driving. One manufacturer has developed a helmet that includes a rearview mirror and a wide-view visor that provides a 360-degree view of the road. This enables you to see all of the road's blind spots.
Airbags
Unlike a car, a motorcycle lacks a seatbelt and a crumple zone to protect you in the event of an accident. And, for the longest time, motorcycles lacked the airbag systems found in automobiles. Today, however, two types of airbag systems are used in the motorcycle world: one that is mounted on the motorcycle and one that is worn as a vest, bodysuit, or jacket.
Honda was the first manufacturer to offer a motorcycle-mounted airbag system as part of their Goldwing model lineup. In the event of a frontal collision, this type of airbag system protects the rider's head.
The more prevalent airbag system is worn as a vest, jacket, or full-length suit. This airbag system is standard equipment on motorcycles manufactured by renowned manufacturers such as Ducati and BMW. A CO2 cartridge is used to inflate the system. Additionally, the jacket or suit is connected to the motorcycle via a cord. In the event of a crash, the tether activates and the vest inflates, protecting the rider's body from injury.
Smart Tire Pressure and Temperature Monitors
The intelligent tire pressure and temperature monitoring system eliminates the need to constantly get off your motorcycle or bend down to check your motorcycle tire pressure. While riding, this system allows you to monitor your tire pressure and temperature. Certain TPMSs include Bluetooth tire gauges, while others will notify you if a problem is detected.
Installing a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on your motorcycle is a simple and cost-effective process. This critical safety technology enables you to perform routine tire pressure checks more easily and frequently.
Anti-lock Braking System
Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS) equipped bicycles are safer. ABS improves the stability of your motorcycle and also prevents the wheels from locking.
According to the Motorcycle Safety Lawyers, when you brake too hard to avoid a collision or on a slippery road, you destabilize your bike, resulting in the rear or front wheel locking. Regrettably, wheel locking can result in your bike sliding or overturning.
ABS prevents the wheels on your motorcycle from locking. This technology detects when the wheels are about to lock and automatically adjusts the braking pressure to prevent the wheels from locking. As a result, your bike becomes more stable and less likely to crash.
Smart Windshield
Samsung announced in 2016 that they had developed a motorcycle-specific smart windscreen. The technology consists of a smartphone-connected display mounted on the windshield of a motorcycle.
The transparent, intelligent screen communicates with your smartphone via WiFi. The screen is installed on the lower side of the shield to avoid obstructing the rider's vision.
To receive alerts and GPS navigation directions on the screen, a smartphone app must be downloaded. Additionally, the app can notify you of any incoming messages or calls. To avoid being distracted by incoming calls, the app can send a message to the caller informing them that you're on your way.
Vehicle to Vehicle Communication
Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) technology enables vehicles to communicate with one another. Through wireless communication, drivers can alert other drivers to potential road hazards, assisting them in avoiding accidents.
Similarly, motorcycles equipped with vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or bike-to-vehicle (B2V) technology can communicate with one another while on the road. The bike's on-board sensors collect data such as speed, position, braking, and location. The B2V or V2V system communicates with other motorcyclists or vehicles on the road via an on-board computer.
For motorcycle enthusiasts, there has never been a more exciting time than right now. It's now safer to ride a motorcycle because of the numerous safety features built into motorcycles. The six motorcycle safety technology trends discussed above are just the tip of the iceberg, as there are numerous other upcoming motorcycle innovations that we expect to see on our roads in the near future.
