Sling is developing passive radar reflectors that significantly improve motorcycle visibility to vehicle systems with technology such as blind spot detection and adaptive cruise control.
Historically, roadside radars have been used primarily by police forces, leading to the development of radar detectors and other devices designed to avoid detection. However, with the rise of advanced driver assistance systems and the arrival of autonomous vehicles, the focus has changed. Now motorcycle manufacturers are looking to make their vehicles more detectable by radar.
The concept is simple. Both cars and some motorcycles are equipped with radars that monitor the position of other vehicles on the road to assist systems such as adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and automatic braking. Although this technology is accessible and effective, motorcycles present a challenge to radars, as their reduced profile makes them difficult to detect, increasing the risk of them going undetected.
The solution to this problem is not new. For decades, radar reflectors, made up of metal panels that increase the reflected signal, have been used to improve the visibility of small objects to radars. Now, as we are telling you, the house of the golden wing is one of the companies that has taken up this approach to implement it on its motorcycles.
The use of passive radar reflectors became popular at the end of World War II, when ships began to be equipped with these devices to make themselves more visible in the ocean. And yes, similarly, motorcycles today face the same challenge. But, instead of in the sea, on the roads.
We have already seen how factories like suzuki, bmw and Piaggio have worked on solutions, both passive and active, to improve the visibility of motorcycles. Now as we see Sling Now it follows the trend of passive reflectors, presenting its own patent with its design.
This is how Honda helps the radar
The system is made up of several cup-shaped reflectors made of reflective sheets, this device captures and returns radar waves, increasing the signal and improving vehicle detection. Being placed behind the windshield, they do not affect the design or aerodynamics of the motorcycle. In addition, this system is extremely economical to manufacture, since the reflectors can be made of metal or coated plastic, which does not make production more expensive.