This year's EICMA saw many new products making their exclusive world premieres at the show, but the one that really caught our attention here at International Dealer News and MotoWEEK is what is believed to be the first ever commercially available off-the-shelf automatic eCall system for motorcycles.
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| The kit involves two primary components - the data processor and communications unit, and the inclination, acceleration and movement sensor; Digades also recommend the optional handlebar eCall button. An app is available to monitor system status and provide warning and GPS alert if the motorcycle is moved or stolen. The 'dguard' system is believed to be the first aftermarket "off-the-shelf" e-Call product. |
Founded in Germany in 1991 as a service provider for electronics manufacturing and development, Digades GmbH evolved into a system supplier in the automotive, building and infrastructure industries.
Their specialist knowledge in radio transmission systems, miniaturisation and energy efficient electronics design took them into developing eCall technology for the automotive sector - customers include the likes of Audi, Bentley, BMW, Daimler and VW to name a few - and now the company has launched "dguard", an automatic eCall system designed specifically for motorcycles.
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| The dguard components fit neatly beneath the seat - here seen installed on a BMW R1200 RT |
The system processes data from several sensors that monitor values like inclination, acceleration and movement, and when all the system sensors report the parameters that mean an accident has taken place, it automatically connects the rider to the country’s emergency call centre.
The system only needs two primary components to be operational - the communication unit itself and the dguard eCall sensor. A third component, the "dguard" eCall button, fits on the handlebar and gives the rider control of the system - including override function and non-detected incident report option; a "dguard" app is available to monitor the status and correct installation of the system.
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| CEO Lutz Berger started the business in 1991 |
If the rider is incapacitated and unable to communicate directly with the emergency response team at the call centre themselves, then the call centre will automatically send an ambulance to the GPS coordinates of the accident, with nominated family/friends also automatically notified of the incident.
Shown at EICMA installed on a BMW R 1200 RT, where the system components fit easily in the space under the seat, and on a KTM 300 EXC they had been using as a test platform, the unit sells as a self-contained complete kit - once installed all that is required is for the rider to then register the device for the service provided by Digades. The service fee for the first 2 years is included in the recommended retail price.
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| Digades employ 150 plus people at their 4,000 sq m facility near the Czech and Polish borders in Germany. Heavy investors in R&D, they are low energy, high power radio transmission specialists who provide electronic systems and assemblies for several blue chip automotive manufacturers |
By 2018 all new production cars sold in the EU will have to have such systems fitted as standard, with the required infrastructure available in Europe in 2017. However, so far, not much attention has been paid to the needs of motorcyclists.
This new "dguard" system also does double-duty as a motorcycle tracker, informing the rider if the bike is being moved without his or her consent.
However, in recognition of them being the first to have such a system available for riders now, in an extension of the HOT100 new product awards that it has been making to selected aftermarket parts, accessory and apparel product manufacturers and designers for some three years already, International Dealer News is awarding the "dguard" its first annual International Motorcycle Industry New Product of the Year Award.
DIGADES
www.dguard.com
