2020 Ducati To Feature Front And Rear Radar

Ducati might continue to produce incredibly desirable sportsbikes. But they’ve also learned an important lesson since the launch of the cost-effective and immensely popular Monster back in 1993. Think of the Italian firm and you might picture a Scrambler, Multistrada or a Diavel as much as a sportsbike or Panigale. They’ve already got the only bike to interact with the Dainese D | air system, and the first classic model with ABS Cornering in the shape of the Ducati Scrambler 1100. Now they’re taking safety further with a 2020 Ducati to feature front and rear radar.

 

Ducati ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems)

Most of the big motorcycle manufacturers are working towards making riding safer by using technology. And Ducati is no different. They’ve not only got a “2025 Safety Road Map”, but they’re now bringing forward some of the plans.

And key to this is the introduction of Ducati ARAS (Advanced Rider Assistance Systems) in 2020. There’s no indication whether this will be on a new motorcycle, or across existing models in the range. But we do know this is based on front and rear radar.And that will form the basis of their future safety plans.

Development of ARAS began in 2016 in conunction with the Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering at the Politecnico di Milano University. The combination of Ducati employees, university researches and undergraduates led to a patent application filed in 2017. This is all based on a rear radar warning system which can identiy and point out vehicles present in the “blind spot” behind a rider. And also traffic approaching at high speed from behind. Which means an extra reassurance when you’re relying on a lifesaver check, or sat at the traffic lights.

That covers the back of the bike. But also in 2017, Ducati selected a technological partner to complete the set-up with a second radar sensor at the front. The frontal system is to manage the adaptive cruise control based on the distance to a vehicle in front, which can be set by a rider, and to also warn about any risks for head-on collisions.

Now those systems will be combined in ARAS, with an advanced user interface, on at least one Ducati model ‘coming in 2020’. Which suggests it might be at least a new bike in a current range. And given the cruise control and potential price, perhaps either the Multistrada or Diavel? Especially when their press photo illustrating the system happens to be their Multistrada adventure tourer rather than a Panigale.

With a 2020 Ducati to feature front and rear radar, it follows on from the introduction of Bosch ABS Cornering which is now being rolled out throughout the entire motorcycle range. This improves on standard ABS, by also working during cornering, particularly as you’re entering a corner. And the Ducati Multistrada 1260 D | air which deploys the Airbag jacket in just 45 milliseconds, which is much faster than a stand-alone system.

 

Would You Pay More For Motorcycle Radar?

I don’t think anyone would complain if Ducati add the ARAS front and rear radar into a motorcycle for no extra cost. It’s something that doesn’t interfere with your riding experience, and would give an extra bit of help to even experienced riders – particularly for those rear-end accidents which are hard to predict or avoid. But is it something you’d find valuable enough to pay a little extra for? Share your thoughts and comments below