Transforming Two Wheeler Rides with Connected Technology

As the automotive industry veers towards digitalization, vehicle telematics solutions are transforming connected two-wheelers (2W) from concept to reality. While modern commercial and passenger vehicles are already integrated with mainstream telematics and driver assistance features, the current wave of digital connectivity is now rapidly progressing into the 2W category as well. Why the Push for Digital Innovations in the 2W Category? Two critical and specific user factors for 2W owners have been primary drivers so far:

1. Prevention of road accidents

• Based on statistics from around the world, road accidents involving 2W have been on a steady rise in recent years
• Detailed analysis of such 2W accidents have identified driver distraction, failure of perception and control, and over speeding as the three main causes for such incidents
• Increasing safety regulations and innovative technological solutions are urgently being developed to avoid such instances, and to ensure the safety of riders and other road users

2. Vulnerability to theft

• Stolen 2W incidents too have seen a steady increase
• Lack of  a reliable solution for tracking stolen 2Ws, and not having a real-time alert system  of a theft attempt to the owner, are attributed as possible causes for an increase in such criminal incidents

The Connected Motorcycle Consortium In 2016, BMW Motorrad, Honda, and Yamaha together founded the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC). Followed soon after, by Kawasaki, KTM, and Suzuki, the primary mission of CMC is to establish the basis for innovating on technology that integrates motorcycles in a cooperative, intelligent transport system (C-ITS), ensuring safety on-road through connectivity and networked communications between them. The consortium’s objective is to establish a harmonized standard for motorcycle connectivity systems so that motorcycles can communicate with other vehicles on the road, to provide safety alerts and collision avoidance. CMC conducts tests on how connectivity and networked communications can be at the core of a new generation of safer and smarter bikes. Tests have revealed that connected systems developed for cars and trucks are mostly incompatible with 2Ws, mainly because of their particular dynamic properties. For members of the CMC, integration to such networked automotive safety system necessitates the development of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) technology that will be compatible not only across all 2W OEMs but also across all types of vehicles.

Exhibit 1: Examples of Key Connected Features in Two Wheelers – Ather S340

A Need for New Collaborations The need for digitally connected 2Ws offers collaboration opportunities among automotive manufacturers, suppliers, technology companies, telecom operators, insurance firms, government policymakers, and transport operators. Altogether, these stakeholders need to ensure a superior 2W riding experience, with enhanced safety offered through technological advancements. Leading global automotive suppliers and telecom service providers, like Bosch and Vodafone, have already developed future-ready solutions for automotive connected features, partnering with other technology companies, to enable mobile connectivity for this next-generation 2Ws.

Exhibit 2:  Key Features in Connected Two Wheelers by BOSCH and Vodafone