Suzuki’s motorcycle rear-view camera system patent aims to avoid 'head-turning' moments ^↺

Over the years, technology has played a huge role in making motorcycle riding much safer, with features like anti-lock braking (ABS), traction-control system (TCS) and even airbag-equipped jackets and bags becoming increasingly common – even mandatory in some jurisdictions. Another such piece of tech is currently being developed by Suzuki, in partnership with automotive parts maker Tokai Rika.

A recent patent filing describes a rear-view camera system which, in addition to conventional mirrors, will help riders stay aware of vehicles behind them, especially when merging or changing lanes. The hardware setup itself, consisting of a tail-mounted wide angle camera and a TFT instrument display, is fairly straightforward – even similar to existing ones in the aftermarket and from certain competitors.

Where it differs from the aftermarket offerings is the way it tackles a common problem. Anyone who’s used a rear-view camera on a four wheeled vehicle knows that an ultra-wide field of view is not quite conducive to gauging depth or distance, as objects tend to appear farther than they really are.

Suzuki’s solution here is to switch to a cropped portion of the frame that covers the blind spot, either manually or automatically, based on where the bike is going. Manually, this could be achieved through a handlebar switch, allowing the rider to choose the view directly behind or on either side. Automatically, when travelling straight, it would display the view directly behind, but upon activating the turn signal, it would switch to a view of the blind spot over the shoulder, enabling a quick check to see if the lane is clear.

The patent also describes the ability for the rider to zoom in precisely and adjust the crop region, so as to select the blind spot as per their own preference.

The system is unlikely to replace mirrors any time soon, not just because mirrors are ultimately more reliable and intuitive (at least for now), but also because the small improvement in aerodynamics gained by removing the mirrors would matter little on public roads with traffic, which is where such a system would be most useful.

As is often the case with patents like this, there’s no telling when (or even whether) this technology will actually be implemented by Suzuki. Meanwhile, front and rear dash cams for motorcycles are available, and though they’re geared more towards making a continuous video recording, they can passably serve as a supplemental rear-view device.

A dedicated, premium option is the Vantrue F1 front and rear dash cam, rated to be reliable and easy to install. The LBW Professional Motorcycle Dash Cam is a more budget friendly option that also offers other features via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.