Jaguar Land Rover develops a system to prevent accidents with motorcycles and bicycles

Jaguar Land Rover continues presenting its R&D projects in safety that it will install in its future launches. In addition to the Assistant Smart software, the Virtual Windscreen Jaguar windscreen and the justDrive technology, among other innovations, the “Bike Sense” system is now added, which will make it possible to prevent accidents with motorcycles and bicycles.

The invention is somewhat less sophisticated than the one that Volvo presented last month, but it will not require motorcyclists and cyclists to carry additional devices in order to work. The “Bike Sense” from Jaguar Land Rover uses sensors placed on the vehicle to detect whether a motorcycle or a bicycle is approaching and to warn the driver in advance so that they can react in time.

The system combines an acoustic alert identical to a bicycle bell with the vibration of one corner of the seat backrest and LEDs that light up depending on the proximity of the danger.The ways of warning the driver represent the main distinguishing features of this technology. Instead of using the indicators and sounds typical of these obstacle detectors, “Bike Sense” proposes more innovative methods. The acoustic alert consists of playing the sound of a bicycle bell, which, according to JLR, the driver associates more quickly with the potential danger they are being informed of.

In addition, the upper part of the driver’s seat backrest vibrates on the same side from which the motorcyclist or cyclist is approaching, so that the user immediately recognizes where the possible danger is. As the motorcycle or bicycle gets closer to the car, strips of LEDs placed on the window frames, pillars and instrument cluster light up first in amber and then in red when the danger is even closer. These LEDs not only change color, but also indicate the direction in which the motorcyclist or cyclist is moving.

If the driver ignores the warnings, the accelerator pedal will vibrate or become stiffer.

The technology also works if the motorcycle or bicycle is hidden by an obstacle, and it has a function to prevent the doors on the side from which it is approaching from being opened.In situations where the vehicle is surrounded by several motorcycles or bicycles, the system focuses only on the closest ones, those that are most likely to pose a potential danger. It also works even if an obstacle hides the motorcycle or bicycle, such as a car parked on one side of the street.

In the event that the driver ignores the warnings from Bike Sense, this technology makes the accelerator pedal vibrate or prevents it from being pressed. This effect is not deactivated until it is detected that the danger has passed.

An additional function of the system is preventing the opening of the doors on the side from which the motorcycle or bicycle is approaching, by means of warning lights and sounds. If the occupants insist on opening them because they do not perceive the danger, the door handles light up, vibrate and emit a buzz to remind them that they should wait for the motorcycle or bicycle to move away.

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Source | Jaguar Land Rover
Video | YouTube