The motorcycle industry, together with other partners, has started investigating how an embedded eCall system could work on motorcycles. eCall technology enables an emergency call to be made from a vehicle, either automatically or manually, immediately after a road accident has occurred. This advanced safety technology is already available on some automobiles. However, since motorcycles have very different and more complex dynamics, specific solutions are needed for powered-two wheelers.
I_Heero eCall Czech pilot
Within the I_HeERO project (where “I” stands for Infrastructure), a working group will be investigating the requirements necessary for an eCall system that could be realized for powered-two wheelers. This group brings together a large number of stakeholders including several motorcycle manufacturers (BMW Motorrad, Honda, KTM, Piaggio and Yamaha). Ongoing activities cover aspects such as in-depth analysis of real-world accident data, defining exactly when an eCall needs to be made, and the functional and hardware requirements that mean such a system can be easily understood and instantly recognised even when switching between motorcycles of differing manufacturers. The consortium partners expect to develop a safety solution that keeps complexity to a minimum level to ensure adequate market deployment and consumer acceptance.
GIVING MOTORCYCLISTS A VOICE: EUROPEAN SURVEY.
In order to better understand users’ expectations on eCall systems, the PTW cluster of the project has launched a new online survey across Europe. The survey will be available until the end of July 2016 and will provide the partners with insights in motorcyclists’ opinions on possible eCall solutions for motorcycles. Prior to that, a first round of surveys in a selected number of countries received more than 1,000 replies and provided data which is currently being analysed. Building on this successful first experience, a Europe-wide survey will ask motorcyclists their opinions on a possible eCall system to get the full picture. Those interested in eCall systems and motorcycle safety in general can find the survey online at:
iheero.hreconnect.eu/s/A3C01
The survey is published via a secure online platform and does not ask for any personally identifying data. It is available in 7 languages: English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Greek and Polish.
THE COMMENTS OF THE EXPERTS. Commenting on the project, Andy Rooke, I_HeERO technical implementation officer, said he was certain that the involvement of the motorcycling community would be extremely useful for a better understanding of what they expect from an eCall system for motorbikes, and any possible downsides. In order to develop future motorcycle safety technology, Rooke said it would be essential to hear motorcyclists’ opinions from all over Europe. Antonio Perlot, ACEM Secretary General, said it was necessary to define common European standards for motorcycle eCall systems, and that the purpose of the project was also to come up with a solution to this problem, adding that the motorcycle industry was confident that the work carried out would be instrumental in addressing this and other relevant technical challenges.
WHAT THE EU REGULATION SAYS. Under EU Regulation 2015/758 all cars type-approved in Europe as of April 2018 will have to be fitted with an eCall system. This Regulation also establishes that the European Commission should assess the possibility of extending the application of the 112-based eCall in-vehicle system requirements to other types of vehicles including powered-two wheelers. In this scenario, the analysts of the I-HeERO project will investigate the technical requirements necessary for an eCall system for PTWs. Project participants include ACEM (the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers), BMW, Bosch, Catapult, CEIT, CETEM, Honda, ICCS, ICOM, ICOOR, KTM Sportmotorcycles, Piaggio, Polytechnic of Milan and Yamaha. The project is set for completion in December 2017.
(Source: ACEM Press Release – The Motorcycle Industry In Europe – Brussels, 16 June 2016).
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
A basic description of eCall technology: iheero.eu/about-ecall
A list of the I-HeERO project partners: iheero.eu/about-iheero/partners
More information about I_HeERO is available at: iheero.eu/about-iheero
