A Smart Self-Canceling Turn Signal for Motorcycles
Posted by Mike Werner on Jan 29th 2016
| Many, if not most motorcycles have turn signals that need to be turned off when you stop your maneuver. And since we’re quite busy on our bikes, we often forget to turn off the turn signal (that is, if we remembered to turn them on in the first place). This can lead to dangerous situations with traffic. If you’ve got your blinkers indicating you’re going to the right because you have just turned right but forgot to turn them off, a car/truck driving behind you might just think you’re about to turn. And that can lead to accidents. |
| More modern motorcycles have self-canceling turn signals, a bit like cars. But with cars, it’s a simple technology. The steering wheel passes over a “kill” switch when the steering wheel is rotated back into a straight position. But on a motorcycle, that’s not possible. So the bike’s self-canceling system are often based on a timer, which is not really any good. Some are more advanced, using some form of intelligence whether the bike is riding along or not. But it’s never even close to perfection. But that might change in the near future. |
| A start-up company in Ljubljana, Slovenia (that’s in Europe) is starting a beta test program of a highly intelligent self-canceling turn signal for motorcycles. |
| The product, Safer Turn System, is a system that uses motion sensing technology and a high degree of intelligence to determine whether the bike is on a roundabout, making a right or left turn or even just changing lanes. |
| The system uses measurements like the bike’s inclination, engine vibrations, heading and acceleration to determine whether to turn off the turn signals. The device should fit any bike without too much hassle. The only thing missing is to have the turn signal turn on automatically, but I guess that’s wishful thinking. |
| The company is readying the product for beta test. If you’re interested, they are looking for bet testers, so if you want to participate, head on over to their web site and register yourself. Or just check out their site for more information on this product. |
| Click here to access the Safer Turn Signal website. |