Yamaha and Honda begin anti-collision technology test

Yamaha and Honda are to join 12 car manufacturers in tests of new technology designed to prevent drivers making manoeuvres that endanger motorcyclists.

The tests are being conducted by Japan’s Construction and Transport Ministry on public roads in Tochigi, Kanagawa, Aichi and Hiroshima prefectures, and the technology is being introduced in the hope that it will reduce rear-end shunts, head-on collisions and drivers who turn right across a road in the face of oncoming traffic, a common cause of motorcycle accidents.

The system allows cars approaching each other to communicate speed, road position and other information and pass this onto the driver.

If the system decides there is potential for an accident, it alerts the driver with voice message and a message on a vehicle’s satellite-navigation screen warning of the danger as they approach junctions and intersections.

The tests begin in March, and hope to establish whether the system is practical on public roads, and also how the system affects driver behaviour.