The latest patent images to leak online belong to Honda and it gives away information about the company’s new collision-avoidance system. While these images appear to have the company’s VFR model used in the diagram, rumour has it that the next-generation Gold Wing model will be the one to debut the safety technology.
The cameras seen at the front of the motorcycle appear to be stereoscopic (stereo) cameras. These cameras use two or more lenses with a separate image sensor for each lens. This allows the camera to simulate human binocular vision, giving it the ability to capture 3D images. We believe Honda will use these digital eyes to not only warn the rider of upcoming obstacles but, also apply precautionary measures to help prevent it.
Honda will use the information provided by the stereoscopic cameras and use the bike’s electronically controlled combined ABS to slow down the motorcycle and avoid an accident. This combined braking system already uses the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) on the motorcycle for its ABS on the current-gen model. Pairing this system with this 3D vision would make for one of the most advanced braking systems available on any motorcycle.
It will be interesting to see how this safety tech works in real-world conditions; and the tech doesn’t appear to be that far off from making it to the production bike. We may see Honda revealing it at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the year.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
