AB Dynamics has introduced the Soft Bicycle 360 ADAS target, a cutting-edge testing tool designed to enhance vehicle safety assessments while minimizing the risk of damage to test vehicles. This innovative target is 30% lighter than other comparable targets and is specifically designed to reduce vehicle impact during testing, addressing a key concern for automotive manufacturers.
Developed by AB Dynamics’ subsidiary, Dynamic Research Inc. (DRI), the Soft Bicycle 360 features a unique single-piece frame architecture. Unlike traditional targets that rely on connectors prone to failure, this new design eliminates the need for such components, reducing the likelihood of mechanical issues and eliminating the need for time-consuming rebuilds after an impact. The frame is constructed using a thin rubberized material reinforced internally at strategic points, providing both flexibility and stiffness where needed.
The attention to detail extends to the target’s rider, whose legs, arms, and torso are made from a lightweight, hollow material. These body parts are covered with abrasion-resistant clothing, enhancing the durability of the target through repeated tests. Additionally, the materials used for both the rider and the bicycle have been specifically chosen to ensure realistic radar reflectivity. This careful selection ensures that vehicle sensors interacting with the target provide accurate data during ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) testing, crucial for the development of effective safety features.
One of the standout features of the Soft Bicycle 360 is its advanced wheel design. The bicycle’s wheel rim is crafted from a durable plastic core wrapped in foam and covered with a rubberized outer layer. This design not only creates a realistic tire profile but also removes any hard points that could potentially damage the test vehicle in the event of a collision. The wheel is connected to the hub by soft nylon string spokes, which are much less likely to break or cause damage compared to traditional metal spokes.
In addition to its safety advantages, the Soft Bicycle 360 improves testing efficiency. The frame and wheel design allow the target to move both forward and backward, making it easy to quickly return to its starting position after a test, enabling faster test repetitions.
The launch of the Soft Bicycle 360 is particularly timely, given the increasing focus on cyclist safety worldwide. Data from the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shows a rising trend in cyclist fatalities as a percentage of overall traffic deaths since 2003. In Europe, the European Commission reports that cyclists are the only road user group whose fatality rate has not declined since 2010. Euro NCAP, as part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, is set to expand its crash avoidance testing to include new scenarios involving cyclists. Euro NCAP’s Safer Trucks program has already integrated multiple cyclist AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) test scenarios into its draft HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) rating scheme.
Nate Kuhl, product development engineer at DRI, emphasized the importance of the Soft Bicycle 360, stating, “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 programs.”
The Soft Bicycle 360 is fully compatible with AB Dynamics’ range of motion platforms, including the LaunchPad Spin, LaunchPad 50/60, and LaunchPad 80 when used with a side platform, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of ADAS testing scenarios.
