Suzuki Working On Rearview Camera For Motorcycles

Rearview camera in motorcycles isn’t an alien concept and has been showcased before as part of concept models. However, Suzuki now plans to bring this into production and for that purpose, the Japanese two-wheeler manufacturer has partnered up with electronics specialist Tokai Rika to develop a rearview camera system specifically for motorcycles. Mind it, not scooters, but motorcycles. 

But Why?

The primary advantage of adding a rear-view camera will be aerodynamics. Unlike conventional rearview mirrors, which require a specific surface to offer proper visibility to the rider, the cameras can be easily integrated into the tail section, like the Norton V4SV equips one, without requiring any separate bolt-on part at all. Moreover, with digital and colour TFT displays widely available and at such affordable rates - the viability of this technology for motorcycles becomes quite natural. 

Will It Be Easier To Function With Rearview Cameras?

Not initially. For as easy as it is to change your field of view with a conventional rearview mirror by simply moving your head or hand — the position of a rearview camera will be completely fixed.

Moreover, to get a better broad view, Suzuki plans to use a single wide-angled camera. , 

However using such cameras comes with a disadvantage and that’s the wide field of view, which reduces details.. Additionally, as we’ve grown up with the statutory warning on all rearview mirrors – “Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear '' – with the wide angle camera, this problem amplifies. 

How To Work Around This Problem?

To optimise this problem, Suzuki has come up with a solution to crop the images the camera generates. And to do that, Suzuki has equipped bar-mounted buttons which in turn will help toggle between zoom-in and wide-angle views. 

Does Suzuki Want To Do Away With Rearview Mirrors Completely?

Not entirely. Suzuki wants to equip rearview cameras as a supplementary safety system. We have already seen similar applications in cars, like the Hyundai Alcazar, via its Blind Spot monitoring system which activates on the main dash display when you activate the indicator. Thus making the idea logical to be made available for motorcycles as well. Also, a fixed rear view mirror will always be more crucial as rear view cameras can get smudgy in rains thereby reducing visibility and even if the camera gets damaged, the rider has visibility in his mirrors.