Forcite Helmet Systems and partners awarded $1.65 million research grant
Summary
The Federal Government has awarded Forcite Helmet Systems Pty Ltd (Forcite), the University of Canberra, Macquarie University, Western Sydney University and industry partners a $1,650,505 research grant to help reduce motorcycle accidents and fatalities with an advanced rider assistance system.Forcite is partnering with the three universities, Transport for NSW, APPRO Photoelectron Inc., NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN), and Harley Davidson Australia over the multi-stage project to develop a next generation smart helmet and sensing system to pre-empt and identify hazards, such as debris and other road users, and alert riders so they can take evasive action. By bringing together cutting-edge smart helmet technology and advanced rider assistance systems, we can help pre-empt hazards, enabling swift evasive action , said Forcite CEO and Co-Founder, Alfred Boyadgis. Along with the brightest minds in the industry, were proud to lead the charge in reducing risk and increasing the joy of riding. Forcites partnership with Australian universities, Harley-Davidson Australia, and Transport for NSW, backed by the CRC-P grant, will change the game for motorcycle safety , he said.The research project will consist of two stages: detection and intervention. Collision avoidance systems in cars, such as lane departure alerts and autonomous emergency braking systems, are common in new models, but equivalent technology for motorcycles, which are far more vulnerable on the road, is still in its infancy, said research team leader, Assistant Professor Ibrahim Radwan from the University of Canberras HCT Research Centre.Associate Professor John Cass and Dr Tomas Trescak, researchers from the Western Sydney Universitys MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, School of Computer, Data and Mathematical Sciences and School of Psychology, will employ neuroscientific principles to evaluate the effects of different types of helmet-based heads-up display information on rider behaviour and cognition using a custom-designed motorcycle simulation environment.Professor Anina N Rich, from Macquarie Universitys School of Psychological Sciences, together with a grant-funded postdoctoral fellow, will draw on expertise in sensory and cognitive processing to support the cutting-edge project.