BMW has developed a motorcycle
which can correct a rider’s mistakes, compensating for incorrect movements. The
claim from BMW which caused controversy, was that the rider didn’t need a
helmet to ride this bike, as it would protect them from falling. However, this
claim has been made without taking into account road debris such as rocks and
dirt. Also insects can hit the rider’s eye at great velocity, possibly
impairing vision. I believe that BMW’s mistake here was the way this technology
has been marketed. If it had not been marketed as a replacement for a helmet,
it would have not created such dispute. This technology is far from being established,
since it cannot dodge vehicles and if impact was to occur the rider would still
be flung off the motorcycle possibly ending in a fatality. Also removing the
element of focus and control involved in riding a motorcycle, places the rider
at greater risk of having too much dependence on these electronic aids.
Shifting focus away from the road. Also sudden maneuvers performed by the bike
in unpredictable weather such as rain or snow, can cause a loss of control for
both the rider and the computer system. This type of technology is far from
ready to be sold to the public, as it would be priced out of many people’s
price range due to high development and production costs.
This type of technology is marketed
towards the newer rider who would have previously found riding to be dangerous.
This eliminates a large amount of variables which the rider would otherwise
have to account for. Riders have to balance themselves on the bike, whilst
controlling throttle and braking inputs in order to prevent speed wobbles and slides.
This computer system removes the need for precise control of these inputs to
allow of a presumably safer riding experience. Other road
users can also benefit from this technology since it can slow the bike down
incase someone turns into the lane ahead. Governments will be highly selective
of this type of technology, considering the large amounts of mishaps occurring with
autonomous cars. Placing many restrictive legislations which place a great
barrier to entry for the manufacturers of this technology. Slowing down the
development, at the cost of ensuring predictable road safety standards.
The IT systems used in this
particular motorcycle are sensors such as accelerometers to measure speed,
acceleration and the generated G forces, proximity sensors to sense incoming
hazards such as pedestrians and other road users, cameras to utilize lane
keeping technology, tire pressure monitoring systems to predict the amount of
traction available at the wheels and gyroscopes to keep the motorcycle balanced
on the road. All of these systems are controlled by a micro processor which receives
the data input from the sensors to later output commands accordingly.
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