Jaguar reveals the ‘Bike Sense’ safety technology

Any story about an innovation developed by Jaguar will rarely be of great concern to motorcycle riders. However, Jaguar has just revealed the "Bike Sense" research project that will warn car drivers about bicycle or motorcycle riders approaching from the side.

The technology has been developed in light of the large number of cyclists killed or injured on the road every year. Sensors on the car will detect when another road user is approaching and identify it as a bicycle or motorbike. Bike Sense will then make the driver aware of the potential hazard, but not by using a "generic warning icon or sound". Bike Sense uses lights and sounds that the driver will instinctively associate with the potential danger.

For example, the audio system will make it sound as if a bicycle bell or motorbike horn is coming through the speaker nearest to the approaching bike. JLR says, the technology can detect if a rider is overtaking or coming past the vehicle, and subsequently make the top of the car seat extend to ‘tap’ the driver on the left or right shoulder, to make him/her look over. As the cyclist/motorist gets closer to the car, a series of LED lights on the window sills, dashboard and windscreen pillars will glow amber and then red as the bike gets closer.

The system can also detect if a pedestrian or cyclist is crossing the road, when they are blocked by an obstruction. If the driver ignores the warnings and presses the accelerator, the system will make the accelerator pedal vibrate or feel stiff as a last warning.

The technology will also help prevent vehicle doors being opened into the path of bikes when the vehicle is parked. Approaching cyclists, motorbikes or even cars are detected by the sensors and sound/light warnings go off. If any passenger continues to open the door, the door handle will light up, vibrate and buzz to alert them to the danger.

This technology will be implemented in cars, but will definitely be approved by bikers, who often fall into the blind spot of car drivers.