Honda Files Patent for New Hidden Camera Technology for Motorcycles

Driver assistance technologies—which are designed to not only keep drivers and their passengers safe, but also other motorists and pedestrians as well—are nothing new. Cars have had on-board cameras and sensors for some time now and the technology advances with each new model year.

Motorcycles, on the other hand, have taken longer to adapt to these innovative technologies because they are designed and driven so differently than cars. Indeed, it’s one thing for your car to take some sort of evasive action in response to its radar sensors detecting trouble ahead that you have failed to notice. It’s quite another to suddenly interfere with a motorcyclist’s control of his or her bike. Such a surprise could be catastrophic.

In its effort to apply similar life-saving technologies to motorcycles that it has used so successfully on its cars, Honda has already developed front and rear radar systems for its Gold Wing and African Twin models to detect obstacles in the road ahead. But there are more innovations on the way.

Recently, the company filed a patent for a new system of hidden cameras that will detect obstacles in the road ahead, then presumably alert the rider to take immediate action if necessary. The design is such that stereoscopic cameras will be built into the “fairing” of the Honda Gold Wing, which is not unlike like endowing the bike with an extra set of eyes in addition to yours. Only this pair will never get tired or distracted after a long day of touring.

Moreover, with at least two separate image sensors feeding a stereo view of the road to the bike’s image recognition processor, it will not only be possible for the system to assess how far away certain objects are, but also to identify what they are and be able to distinguish between such objects as pedestrians and vehicles.

Happily, these important new safety features will in no way impact the bike’s sleek design and styling, as they will be incorporated into the headlights and faring.

In case you are not familiar with the term, “fairing” refers to that molded shell placed over the frame of the motorcycle to deflect wind and reduce air drag. The bike’s windshield and headlights are usually incorporated into the fairing, whose secondary function is to protect the rider from airborne projectiles, wind-induced hypothermia and flying debris from an accident.

While in operation, the cameras will continually construct an accurate three-dimensional image of the road ahead. If there is an obstacle and the driver fails to brake or react quickly enough, the bike’s safety system will likely provide an audio or instrument warning followed by some sort of automatic safety assist (if necessary), presumably in the form of gentle slowing or braking.