The relationship between automobiles and bicycles is sometimes strained, but two new innovations are shaping the cycling world with direct influence from the high-tech engineers of automotive research.
Select Volvo vehicles already offer pedestrian detection, but now a new functionality of cyclist detection enters the scene. This enhanced feature allows your vehicle to automatically brake for a bicyclist swerving into your lane, creating a safer ride for everyone involved. Advanced software and rapid vision processing makes this possible. The sensor system scans the area ahead and serves as a quicker response to the object that moves in.
Bike manufacturer Specialized has recently created a 100-foot wind tunnel for testing and redefining the cyclist-vs.-wind relationship. The "aero team" at Specialized understands the importance of air manipulation and the science in every aspect of the ride. The bike, gear and riding position are factors of where the wind will take you-hopefully not into a ditch. Wind tunnels have been used for bicycle design for many years, but those tunnels were created for cars. Specialized's new endeavor deals specifically with wind related to cycling as the bike maker strives to provide the most aerodynamic experience for the rider by properly using the wind rather than fighting it.