Innovations in Safety Technology
Motorcycles have earned a reputation for being unsafe. If you are in a motorcycle accident, you generally have very little protection from the force of impact. There are no seatbelts, no airbags, nothing to break your impact other than a helmet and whatever other protective gear you wear.
But it looks like that could change.
Every year, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) showcases new products and technologies for consumers. It is the world’s largest consumer electronics and technologies tradeshow.
Several products featured at CES 2017, held in Las Vegas in early January, are innovations in motorcycle safety technology. One is a brake light that doubles as an emergency alert system, another is a vest that acts as a portable airbag, and another is a new technology that helps keep the motorcycle from falling over.
Helmet Brake Light
One big issue in motorcycle safety is visibility — being noticed by other drivers on the road. This year, Cosmo Connected debuted a device called the Cosmo that aims to make motorcyclists a little more visible.
The Cosmo is an extra-visible brake light with 12 LEDs that attaches to the back of a motorcycle helmet using a magnet. It can be used either as a brake light or can be set to blink a constant pattern.
But it’s not just a blinking light. It includes another important safety feature as well, activated through a connected app. If the device detects a collision, it sends a command through the connected smartphone app to alert emergency services and provide geolocation and medical profile information. The app can be set to automatically notify emergency contacts as well.
Airbag Vest
Last year, French startup In&motion was a CES 2016 Innovation Awards honoree for their airbag vest for skiers. This year, they used that technology to debut an airbag vest for motorcyclists.
The vest uses electronic sensors to analyze movement and detect a crash. If a crash is detected, the portable airbag inflates in less than 100 milliseconds.
They also have a program that gathers feedback from 500 motorcycle riders across Europe, which will allow them to refine their product further before it starts showing up on store shelves. For those concerned about adding bulk, the vest can be worn inside most jackets.
Riding Assist
Most motorcyclists have tipped their bike at some point. Honda has been working on a technology that would prevent a motorcycle from falling over when traveling at low speeds or when stopped.
The company displayed a concept model of their self-balancing motorcycle at this year’s convention, and ending up taking home three “Best of CES awards.”
Honda’s riding assist technology uses robotics to greatly reduce the possibility of the motorcycle falling over when it is stopped.
No doubt there are more advancements to come to protect you while you’re riding, and the recently announced technologies could be a great step toward helping you enjoy riding and stop worrying about accidents.
However, if you are hurt in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, contact our motorcycle accident lawyer now for a free consultation about your legal rights.
