Keeping motorcyclists safe through the use of CI-ITS

11th July 2018

Lanna Deamer

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Alps Electric has joined the Connected Motorcycle Consortium (CMC), a non-profit organisation striving to enhance powered two wheeler’s rider safety through research and development activities on C-ITS (Cooperative-Intelligent Transport Systems) for motorcycles. Together with other companies of the industry and technology-related associations, Alps Electric will actively contribute to the development of a prototype integrating this system by providing a V2X RF module.

According to the Annual Accident Report 2017 of the European Commission, which bases on research conducted between 2006 and 2015, motorcycling is the only mode of transport for which the number of fatalities has increased during the period studied.

Even taking into account the decrease after 2007, motorcycling is the mode of transport for which the number of fatalities decreased least between the years researched, showing the high vulnerability of motorcyclists and the urgency of taking action.

Alps Electric has now joined one of the three working groups - Feasibility and Prototyping - of CMC, being one of the first electric component manufacturers to support the organisations efforts through a development membership.

Not only does Alps Electric provide financial aid, but also commits itself to assign one of its employees to use half of the working hours for CMC related activities solely, hence contributing to the safety of motorcyclists and all road users in general.

Yoshiharu Sato, Senior Manager of the Engineering Department in charge, stated: “So far we mainly focused on developing and creating components for the automotive industry, but joining CMC is a great chance for us to gain a better understanding of the connectivity market for motorcycles and the needs of this market in order to create new business.”

Hennes Fischer, Leader of the CMC working group 'Promoting and External Relations' and Senior Adviser of Yamaha Motor welcomes the membership of Alps Electric, saying that: “CMC focuses on developing motorcycle related standards for powered two-wheeler ITS applications; this makes a technical expertise a key factor for all participating parties. Alps Electric will add knowledge and experience and will bring CMC closer to its goal of making motorcycling safer.”