Evolution is advancing and Honda, which has always been very committed to developing new systems for the safety of motorcyclists, has recently filed a very interesting patent application. The first is designed to counteract crosswinds; we know how uncomfortable they can be and, if they’re too strong, also very dangerous.
To provide this kind of driving assistance, Honda has imagined designing a device that is halfway between power steering and a rotary steering damper. A “two-in-one” that has not yet been seen on a motorcycle and which should guarantee an immediate reaction when a situation arises that “displaces” the bike due to a strong gust of crosswind. The system involves an actuator fixed behind the steering head and connected to the steering plate; the rest will have to be handled by the electronic system which, on detecting the abnormal movement, will act to counteract it. All this thanks to the electronic control unit which receives information on speed, acceleration, steering angle, radar and even a camera in order to understand the intentions of the bike and the rider.
Interestingly, in order to do this, the computer divides the lane into several narrow “virtual lanes”, represented by dashed lines in the patent drawings, and tries to keep the bike within one of these lanes.
The other idea that gave rise to the patent application is a system of vibrating handlebar grips. The aim is to offer a warning when necessary; it will be activated when you unintentionally cross the road and can also offer a warning if there is a vehicle in a blind spot. A system similar to what we’ve already seen in cars that offer a “tactile” warning to the driver via the steering wheel.