Honda patent: lane keeping assistant for motorcycles

Honda is using experience from the automotive industry to implement a lane keeping assistant for motorcycles, according to patent applications.

Not only for big enduros or sport tourers

As can be seen from the patent drawings, the system is not just reserved for large enduros or sport touring bikes, it is to be able to be integrated into almost all motorcycles.   It is supposed to react very sensitively, even if the steering impulses from the rider are very contradictory.

Very compact

The system is mounted on the triple clamp and is very compact, which means it could be fitted to most motorcycles.  However, it also requires a camera and radar to capture the necessary data.

The steering actuator uses a magnetostrictive torque sensor to measure the steering impulses on the handlebar.  This makes it possible to detect whether the impulse was triggered by the driver or by unevenness on the road.

In addition, the camera monitors whether the motorcycle is in the lane.  Should one deviate from the lane without a counter-impulse being registered by the driver, the system intervenes to maintain the lane.  This process so be carried out very discreetly, so that it is not really noticeable that the system has intervened.

More to follow

Of course, lane-keeping assist is just one step for more future technology, and could also enable some sort of power steering.  We can assume that the lane-keeping assistant will be coupled with radar-based distance cruise control.