Crash detection systems are not new, but Honda has now patented a smarter variant that should be better able to determine whether you have been injured or not.
After years of successfully applying it to cars, BMW was the first motorcycle brand to apply crash detection to motorcycles in 2016. In the event of a crash, the eCall system was automatically activated, sending crash information to a qualified BMW Call Center, which alerted rescue services.
Leading by example, and not only in the motorcycle industry, with the last generation of iPhones, Apple has introduced its own crash detection system.
The system, now patented by Honda, is more intelligent than the existing systems. Like all existing systems, the Honda system uses sensors mounted on the bike, as well as your smartphone, but also uses a headset mounted in the helmet. The information from all three devices (motorbike, smartphone and headset) is then used to determine whether you need help or not.
Where with the existing systems you have to switch off the system yourself in the event of an innocent crash to prevent the emergency services from being put to work unnecessarily, Honda wanted to go one step further by removing that action from the driver.
Honda uses the communication between your phone, the bike and the headset to determine whether you are lying motionless on the ground, or whether you got up immediately after the crash and you have more of a dented ego. The Honda system compares the position of the motorcycle with that of your phone and helmet.
For example, if the position of the phone and helmet changes continuously in relation to the motorcycle and is also higher than the position of the motorcycle, then that is a sign that you are walking next to the motorcycle. Also the upright and ignition of the engine is an indication that it is an innocent slide.
However, if the position of your telephone and headset does not change in relation to the motorcycle and is also lower than the motorcycle, the emergency services can be alerted.
The Honda system goes even further than just that. A quick analysis of the speed just before the crash, the distance the motorcycle has traveled after the crash and the distance between motorcycle, telephone and helmet determines whether the emergency services should be alerted.
Just like the existing systems, you will first receive a notification before the emergency services are alerted, but if there is no response, the system can better assess whether emergency services are needed and pass on more information regarding the crash.
– Thanks for information from Motorfreaks.