Insert the obvious SkyNet joke here, but the future of two-wheeled transportation is constantly moving ahead of us, to a place previously held only by science-fiction.
We have talked here at Asphalt & Rubber a great deal about connected and autonomous vehicles and its related technologies – insert a massive number of links here – and today we just got a little bit closer to all those concepts becoming realized.
Announcing their latest collaboration, BMW, Honda, and Yamaha have agreed to develop cooperative-intelligent transportation systems (C-ITS) for motorcycles, the first step in adding vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication to motorcycles.
The three companies will work together to establish a a consortium named Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), which aims to have C-ITS devices on the three motorcycle brands from 2020 onwards.
Not looking to do the work along, the three CMC manufacturers are encouraging other motorcycle manufacturers to join the Connected Motorcycle Consortium, in an effort to standardize C-ITS protocols across the motorcycle industry.
“In order to speed up more motorcycle-specific safety developments, we intend to cooperate to promote a successful implementation of C-ITS in motorcycles and scooters,” says Mr. Tetsuo Suzuki, Operating Officer at Honda Motor Company.
Mr. Takaaki Kimura, Chief General Manager of Technology Center and Executive Vice President and Representative Director of Yamaha Motor Company added, “our companies are already active members of the Car2Car Communication Consortium, in which we work with car and truck makers and other stakeholders on common specifications and standards. We came to realize that the specific requirements of motorcycles are beyond the scope of this consortium, however. The next logical step is to enter into a cooperation dedicated solely to the challenges relating to powered two-wheelers.”
“Our aim is to promote a timely and comprehensive use of cooperative ITS systems in powered-two wheelers offering the potential to improve safety. We therefore encourage other companies to join us,” explained Dr. Karl Viktor Schaller, Executive Vice President Development at BMW Motorrad.
C-ITS in motorcycles will likely mean in the coming future that we will see vehicle-to-vehicle communications on our favorite two-wheeled machines, e.g. navigation systems will be able to talk to vehicles further along down the road, allowing the rider’s motorcycle to predict traffic jams and offer faster routes.
Down the line, more integrated C-ITS / V2V features could include accident-avoidance measures, e.g. a rider could be notified of an approaching vehicle around a blind curve, or a similar situation.
Looking at the automotive industry as an example of a more-developed version of this concept, one could also imagine the inclusion of brake-assist or adaptive cruise control because of C-ITS technology.
Projecting even deeper down the pipe, however, will require one’s imagination, as the possibilities are quite endless and powerful. It could even mean the automation of highway riding and driving. Time will tell what those systems are, and how they affect motorcycling as a passion pursuit. Stay tuned, Sarah Connor.
Source: BMW, Honda, & Yamaha
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