Ducati tests new C-V2X communication system

Italian superbike manufacturer Ducati has participated in the first demonstration in Europe of a new vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication system between motorcycles and cars.

The first steps in Ducati’s ‘Safety Road Map 2025’ strategy for the development of new safety systems and technologies are the extension of ABS Cornering to the entire model range and the introduction of a bike with front and rear radar on the market in 2020. In addition, the company is experimenting, together with various industry leaders, some new technologies that will equip its bikes in the medium and long term.

One of these technologies is called C-V2X (vehicle to everything) wireless communication system between road users such as cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles and infrastructure. C-V2X technology is a key step toward 5G for automotive applications with direct communication between vehicles and their surroundings.

The demonstration featured Audi Q7 and A4 cars as well as a Ducati Multistrada 1200 Enduro two-wheel vehicle equipped with C-V2X technology utilising the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset solution. The showcase demonstrated common situations that can take place between motorcycles and vehicles, and how C-V2X technology can be used to help improve road safety. These include Intersection Collision Warning, where a vehicle equipped with C-V2X technology pulls out from a junction with an adjoining road and avoids hitting a motorcycle rider who has the right of way, as well as Across Traffic Turn Collision Risk Warning, in which a vehicle avoids a left turn collision with a motorcycle. Finally, there is a warning of sudden braking of the leading two-wheel vehicle.

“This is the perfect demonstration of use cases in which the modern technologies can drastically improve the safety of future motorcycle users,” said Pierluigi Zampieri, Vehicle Innovation Manager at Ducati Motor Holding. “Indeed, the C-V2X communication is definitely one of the key projects of the Ducati 2025 safety road map”.

This demonstration was the first of the ConVeX (Connected Vehicle to Everything) project involving Audi, Ducati, Ericsson, SWARCO, the Technical University of Kaiserslautern, and Qualcomm CDMA Technologies.

Pierluigi Zampieri: “This is the perfect demonstration of use cases in which the modern technologies can drastically improve the safety of future motorcycle users."