Automotive testing technology supplier, AB Dynamics, together with sister company Dynamic Research, Inc. (DRI), has launched the Soft Bicycle 360 ADAS target. The companies say this bicycle ADAS target is 30% lighter than comparable targets whilst maintaining stiffness, and has been designed to reduce the potential for damage to vehicles under test while also being highly durable.
The launch of the Soft Bicycle 360 comes at a time when cyclist safety is under increasing scrutiny. According to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), cyclist fatalities as a percentage of all traffic fatalities has been increasing since 2003, and when comparing data from 2007 to 2018, although total traffic fatalities decreased by 11%, cyclist fatalities increased by 22%[1].
It is a similar situation in Europe, with the European Commission reporting that cyclists are the only road user group in the EU in which the number of fatalities has not declined since 2010[2].
As a result, Euro NCAP has stated in its Vision 2030 roadmap[3] that it will expand its crash avoidance testing activities, including new scenarios with cyclists. The organisation has also added multiple cyclist AEB test scenarios to its recently announced draft HGV rating scheme as part of its Safer Trucks programme.
“As the number of cyclist test scenarios grows and becomes increasingly more complex, we have seen a demand for a next-generation ADAS target,” said Nate Kuhl, product development engineer at DRI. “As an independent testing provider conducting ADAS tests for manufacturers every day, we know that even relatively minor damage to a test vehicle, such as knocking a sensor out of alignment, can cause severe delays to test programmes. Target pliability, durability and testing efficiency are absolutely critical for test engineers, and we have designed the Soft Bicycle 360 to be market-leading in these areas.”
The Soft Bicycle 360 features a single-piece frame architecture that removes the requirement for connectors, which are prone to failure, and eliminates the need for time-consuming rebuilds after impact. It is manufactured from a thin rubberised material, with internal reinforcement encased within the frame to provide the necessary stiffness.
The rider’s legs, arms and torso are made from hollow lightweight materials, all wrapped in abrasion-resistant clothing. The materials used for the rider and the bicycle have also been optimised to generate representative radar reflectivity, ensuring precise sensor characterisation in ADAS test scenarios.
“ADAS target design is often a delicate balance between ensuring it is compliant, in case of impact with the test vehicle, and also maximising stability in dynamic conditions to accurately represent a real cyclist,” added Kuhl. “The Soft Bicycle 360 is softer, lighter, and more stable than existing options while meeting all the relevant industry ISO standards, such as ISO 19206-4.”
One of the standout features of the Soft Bicycle 360 is its wheel design. The wheel rim is made from a durable plastic core encased within foam and a rubberised skin layer. This not only creates the tyre profile, but also eliminates any protruding hard points of the rim that could contact the test vehicle. It is connected to a hub via soft nylon string wheel spokes, which are less likely to break or damage the test vehicle compared to metal alternatives. This improves the durability and repairability of a critically exposed area of a bicycle target.
The wheels make contact with the road using the same patented technology featured on the company’s Soft Motorcycle 360, meaning the wheel speed is inherently speed-matched, and lateral forces are reduced to improve wheel stability.
Additionally, the design of the frame and wheel provide the capability to travel in both forward and backward directions. This enables the target to be quickly returned to its starting position in reverse to repeat the test, improving test efficiency.
“Damage to the vehicle under test caused by hitting an ADAS target, or damage to the target itself, can severely impact test programmes,” continued Kuhl. “Our durability tests have shown that the performance of the Soft Bicycle 360 is market-leading. This is a result of careful material selection and creative manufacturing. In addition to being durable, the soft materials we use in the frame and other components led to a gentler collision with test vehicles compared to alternatives.”
The Soft Bicycle 360 is compatible with AB Dynamics’ range of target motion platforms, including the LaunchPad Spin, LaunchPad 50/60, and the LaunchPad 80 when used with a side platform.
