PATENTS: HONDA’s designs for ‘traffic monitoring’ cameras

The Japanese factory has just filed patents for a new camera system, which collects and deciphers information about the traffic ahead.

Honda may not have released any bikes with radar technology just yet, but that doesn’t mean its not serious about technology that’ll help keep riders safe. The factory has patented radar systems for the Gold Wing and Africa Twin, it’s just not made it onto a production bike so far. That could be because it’s working on an even more sophisticated solution.

Following on from Yamaha’s designs for rear view mirror cameras, Honda has filed patents for a system which uses optical sensors to collect information about the traffic, and then supplies that data to the in-built active safety systems of its bikes. Situated behind the front headlight lens, the system can only read what’s going on in front of it – which makes us think that the new technology will most likely be used in combination with a radar.

At this stage, there’s been no official word from Honda – but with a spate of new bikes due to be revealed imminently, there’s a good chance we might not have to wait too much longer to see a Honda fitted with the next step in rider aid technology.