BMW Motorrad, Honda and Yamaha are bringing two wheels into the world of connected vehicles

BMW Motorrad, Honda and Yamaha – Yamaha, BMW Motorrad and Honda have launched a new collaboration to improve Cooperative-Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS) applications in Powered Two Wheelers (PTW) and to create the Connected Motorcycle Consortium.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by all ACEM producing members in 2014, C-ITS capabilities will be introduced starting in 2020 and, in order to accelerate this process, the three manufacturers will begin collaboration in the field of C-ITS now. The three partners also encouraged other manufacturers to join the consortium to increase the safety of two-wheeled motor vehicles. “We intend to cooperate to accelerate safety developments specifically related to motorcycles, in order to promote the successful implementation of C-ITS systems on motorcycles and scooters.” said Tetsuo Suzuki, Honda Operating Officer. The objective is to promote a timely and exhaustive use of C-ITS systems in two-wheeled motor vehicles by offering the possibility of improving their safety instead, explained Karl Viktor Schaller, Executive Vice President Development of BMW Motorrad. Furthermore, the initiative carried out by Yamaha, Honda and BMW Motorrad was welcomed in the best way by the European Motorcycle Manufacturers Association. "This initiative is fully in line with ACEM's road safety strategy and demonstrates the motorcycle industry's desire to increase safety for riders based on developments of maximum practicality and concreteness.” said Antonio Perlot, Secretary General of ACEM.

ITS technologies will improve motorcycle safety by offering the possibility to improve the protection, safety and efficiency of all transport systems, especially motorcycles. Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) require the integration of information and communication technologies for transport infrastructures, vehicles and users. There are currently basic applications for it in GPS navigation systems, providing real-time traffic information and suggesting alternative routes based on traffic jams further along the route. For road transport in particular, interoperable wireless network communication between vehicles can enable road users to make coordinated and informed decisions about which route to take, as well as enable safer maneuvering in busy urban environments. ITS technologies are expected to derive particular benefits for the safety of two-wheeled motor vehicles (PTW), not least the provision of a level of “electronic visibility” that can be shared between pilots and drivers of other road vehicles.

The three brands have already gained experience in vehicle connection technology in various field trials in Europe. Together with car manufacturers and major suppliers, BMW Motorrad participated in simTD, a large-scale field test of connected vehicles in the Frankfurt area of ​​Germany. Honda and Yamaha participated, however, in Drive C2X, a field test project for ITS at a European level. In view of the challenges experienced in these real-world trials, the three manufacturers are now joining forces to evaluate the principles of Cooperative Intelligent Transportation Systems (C-ITS) to improve motorcycle safety. ITS systems on motorcycles will be different from those for cars, as, due to the limited space available, the electronic systems must be smaller and resistant to water, dust and vibrations.