GM has filed a patent application for a system described as “Obstacle Detection and Notification for Motorcycles.” The new system described can detect when a motorcycle is located in a vehicle’s blind spot and issue a warning to the rider.
The GM patent filing has been assigned application number US 2022/0222475 A1 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and was published on July 14th, 2022. The patent was originally filed on January 13th, 2021, and lists two Michigan-based engineers as the inventors, including Christopher L. Oesterling and David H. Clifford.
The patent describes an obstacle detection and notification system that can be mounted on a motorcycle, and incorporates a series of cameras looking forward and backward, as well as a processor that executes program instructions, such as receiving information from the cameras, performing a computer-vision and machine-learning based object detection and tracking process, and output detected object data to define a blind spot region around one or more vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the motorcycle.
If it is determined that the motorcycle is indeed located in a vehicle blind spot, the system will then issue an audible, tactile, or visual notification to the rider.
Although the patent certainly sounds like a helpful safety system for motorcyclists, it’s a bit of a head-scratcher coming from GM, giving The General doesn’t actually build motorcycles. However, there are a few ways this could tie back to GM. For starters, the system may have something to do with the latest Periscope safety brand, which launched early in 2021 to cover several aspects of vehicle safety, including technology, research, and advocacy.
It’s also worth mentioning that GM recently launched a new brand identity for OnStar, expanding the OnStar safety and security subscription services to include availability for motorcycle riders.
Finally, we should also point out that while GM doesn’t produce motorcycles on its own, it does have close ties with Honda, which is well-known as being the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. Of course, Honda can likely develop its own motorcycle safety systems, but at the same time, smaller manufacturers may be interested in a system from GM.
We’ll be sure to follow this story as it develops, so stay tunes. In the meantime, subscribe to GM Authority for more GM patent filing news, GM technology news, GM safety news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Do it GM! Build a bike. Let’s goooooo.
They’d just import a Chinese one, if they were to do such a thing.
Build it, but I’m not sure any current brands would make sense. Wasn’t Pontiac once known as the “Excitement Division” or similar?
Interesting patent.
If you now look at the mobility of the next few years, GM should also R&D and produce electric motorcycles and trikes in the USA.
My suggestion would be a Corvette e-Superbike. Visually very similar to my BMW S1000 RR from 2010, but with Corvette design elements.
Or GM is waiting until the Ducati e-Racebike is in the media – 2022?
GM needs to do more marketing to find new models and markets. Ideas are only good if they are produced.
And “Made in China” will end soon when China goes to Taiwan.
Good idea since sometimes bikes are hard to see. Thay seem to blend in with the background.
Might save some lives. That’s all I hear about is some car driver not granting the right of way. Killing bikers. And really no penalty for causing a death!