Long before drivers and their vehicles’ sensors catch sight of a motorcycle, the system signals that a motorcycle is approaching.
Bosch
According to estimates by the company’s accident research, motorcycle-to-car communication could prevent nearly one-third of motorcycle accidents. Vehicles within a radius of several hundred metres exchange information about vehicle type, speed, position, and direction of travel up to ten times per second. This means that long before drivers or their vehicles’ sensors catch sight of a motorcycle, the technology notifies them that a motorcycle is approaching, allowing improved, proactive driving. “We let motorcycles and cars talk to each other, creating a digital protective shield for riders”, says Dr. Dirk Hoheisel, member of the Bosch board of management.
For example, a typical dangerous situation arises when a motorcycle approaches a car from behind on a multilane road, ends up in a car’s blind spot, or changes lanes to pass. When the system identifies a potentially dangerous situation, it can warn the motorcyclist and the driver by sounding an alarm and flashing a warning notice on the dashboard. In this way, all drivers and motorcyclists receive essential information that actively helps avoid accidents.
Vehicles exchange information within a few milliseconds
Cars and motorcycles exchange data using the WLAN-related pWLAN standard (ITS G5). Transmission times of only a few milliseconds between the transmitter and receiver mean that participating road users can generate and transmit important information relating to the traffic situation. Stationary vehicles also transmit data to their surroundings. To allow riders and drivers who are farther away to reliably receive the necessary information, the technology makes use of so-called “multi-hopping”, which thereby forwards the information automatically from vehicle to vehicle. In critical situations, all parties therefore know what is happening and can respond appropriately at an early stage.