Piaggio Group Developing 4D Radar For Motorcycles

Piaggio Fast Forward (PFF), a Robotics-arm founded by the Piaggio Group in 2015 has developed a new sensor technology for implementation not only in business robots, but also in scooters and motorcycles. Founded in 2015 by the Piaggio Group, PFF has previously focused on advancing innovation in smart following technology and smart behavior implementation in robots and machines, but in a strategic decision last year, began developing a custom radar sensor module for use first in Piaggio Group motorcycles and scooters with the intention to provide the technology to other companies in the future.

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Future Aprilia motorcycles are likely to be equipped by the new 4D radar-powered advanced rider assistance system (ARAS).

PFF's hardware-software modules provide robust monitoring in all environmental and lighting conditions. PFF awarded a supply contract for the modules' Radar-on-Chip to Vayyar Imaging, deploying the industry's first ever 4D imaging radar-based motorcycle safety platform. The complete sensor package is developed, built and supplied by PFF for mass production in Piaggio Group motorcycles' Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS).

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The PFF modules use Vayyar's mmWave 4D imaging Radar-on-Chip (RoC) sensor, enabling multiple ARAS functions such as Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Lane Change Assist (LCA) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) with a single sensor supporting a range of over 100m, and an ultra-wide field-of-view. PFF robots incorporating the radar technology are expected to be released at the end of 2021, with Piaggio Group motorcycle models equipped with the PFF sensor module launching in 2022.