BMW Motorrad's Neck Brace System To Boost Road Safety

BMW Motorrad's Neck Brace System To Boost Road Safety

by Anthony Fontanelle

The German automaker BMW has worked with African Physician Chris Leatt to produce a device to reduce the risk of neck and spinal cord injuries for motorcycle riders.

The Neck Brace System of the German automaker is made from a mix of Kevlar, carbon fibre and fibre-glass which is a good combination that could deliver supreme strength. The system also is comfortable to wear. This is because a soft, gentle and impact-absorbing foam layer that is placed between the hardened outer casing and the rider. To easily slip the Neck Brace System around the neck, like a collar, two rapid action fasteners are fixed at its side. These fasteners allow for simple handling and easy adjustment.

The Neck Brace System was developed by BMW Motorrad in partnership with South African physician Leatt and his team of accident researchers, bio-mechanics and surgeons. It provides protection by offering a restraining effect if the rider's head moves greatly forwards, backwards, or to the sides. The rider is also given able to retain freedom of movement needed for riding, with any risk of over-stretching of the neck, in any given direction, significantly reduced. Injuries arising from forces coming down from the helmet to the spine are absorbed by the corrugated edging that surrounds the BMW Motorrad's system. In essence, the innovative system is engineered to provide optimum protection for the spine during an accident.

Conrad Parker, the National Aftersales Manager of BMW Motorrad, said: "The BMW Neck Brace System is a revolutionary move in terms of motorcycling safety, and is the biggest step forward for rider safety equipment since the introduction of body-armour, the back protector and full-face helmets." He added, "The launch of this system reinforces BMW Motorrad's goal to make motorcycling as safe as possible by incorporating new technology in the Rider Equipment range. I am in no doubt that riders the world over will put safety first and welcome the benefits this protective equipment offers."

BMW, an independent German company and manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, is the parent company of Rolls-Royce and MINI car brands. The company also was the owner of Rover. It stands by the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine."

The German automaker has always had a tight and loyal community following. This is because of its etched philosophy for quality. Auto parts like the BMW antenna, radiators, engines, and other auto equipment are carefully designed and assembled to ensure durability and performance. The automaker is one of the few that support product lines to their limits thus providing 'spirited driving' in certain operation manuals.

In the summer of 2001, the company even went further by starting the BMW Films website and offering some sporty models being driven to extremes. These videos became very famous within the enthusiast community and have illuminated a lot of auto owners searching for a sporty or fun car. However, despite the overwhelming success, BMW Films were taken offline on October 21, 2005.

At present, the German automaker is concentrating on producing product lines that are sure to catch the attention of the aficionados. The company is also absorbed in formulating new innovations to further enhance road safety and limit injuries relating to road accidents.

High-Tech Gadgets Hit The Road

High-Tech Gadgets Hit The Road

by Glady Reign

It used to be Agent 007 enjoying the sweetest ride on the road. But that was before. Nowadays, each driver is given the opportunity to ride high-tech autos. That fact makes James Bond jealous for sure.

Spectacular auto features are now made available by automakers but they also come with awesome price tags. Nonetheless, these gadgets are worth it. From push-button parking to night vision systems, today's auto and car features are simply fascinating.

A few years ago, a vehicle could show the driver the location via digital map. The car could take control when it begins to skid. It could also automatically maintain a set of distance from the car in front. However, these auto features are becoming increasingly common. Hence, there has to be something more interesting and useful.

What's next? How about a car that parks itself? Drivers who are oftentimes faced with parking problems will find the Lexus Intelligent Park Assist system pretty much beneficial. The said feature is available on the Toyota Prius and offered as an option on the redesigned LS models. Essentially, the system enables the driver to pull up to an available parking space by just pressing a button. According to Lexus, the driver only has to apply a little braking pressure.

If you find the Intelligent Park Assist system not that beneficial, you may find a system that keeps an eye on blind spots interesting. According to statistics, many road accidents occur when the driver tries to change lanes without being aware of a vehicle in his "blind spot." This is the reason why Audi and Volvo formulated their versions of systems that answers this quandary.

Audi's Side Assist system, launched in the new 2007 Q7 SUV, uses radar to detect other vehicles. Volvo's Blind Spot Information System, available on the new S80 sedan, uses cameras. The systems are not complicated. It does not need the assistance of Audi rotors or of a Volvo head gasket to function well. It could function just with the rearview mirror. Both systems utilize LED displays near each outside rearview mirror to warn a driver that he should not try to change lanes because a car is in or is rapidly approaching a vehicle's blind spot.

Another high-tech auto feature is called the sophisticated night vision. BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz introduced updated versions of the Night Vision system, which was initially offered by Cadillac. The systems allow a driver to detect objects and passersby beyond the reach of a vehicle's headlights. The system uses infrared technology to sense heat from people, animals, stopped vehicles, and other objects up to several hundred feet in front of the car.

The precollision system is also awesome. The system is engineered to detect an impending collision and automatically adopt measures to avoid it. Some automakers use radar to detect and alarm and warning lights to alerts drivers of a possible crash. If the driver did not respond immediately, the system take the necessary steps like applying brakes, shutting windows, adjusting seat positions for maximum air-bag effectiveness, and activating safety-belt pretensioners. Lexus has formulated the Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS) to avoid "preventable" collisions.

On-the-road entertainment is also booming. Portable audio systems like iPods and MP3 players are now auto compatible. Mercedes-Benz, for one, offers a glove-box-mounted iPod-docking station. It gives power for the iPod and enables the driver to use the car's steering-wheel to operate it. High Definition (HD) Radio systems and Bluetooth technology are also offered as part of the auto package.