Fully automated motorcycle tests may be on the horizon
Singapore will be trialling a switch to ‘Intelligent Driving Circuits’, a fully automated motorcycle test to replace human assessors.
FUTURE Singapore motorcyclists may be tested on a fully automated motorcycle test on an intelligent circuit, it has been reported. Robots, cameras and sensors will be trialled to fully replace human assessors if the trial all goes to plan.
A tender was submitted on the 6th of April by the Ministry of Home Affairs in Singapore, titled ‘Development and Trial of Intelligent Driving Circuit for Class 2, 2A and 2B Motorcycles’, and it seems that robots and analytical equipment is the order of the day.
The course will remain the same as before, but with sensors and cameras looking to detect errors in the manoeuvres carried out - including emergency stops, basic control of the motorcycle, and correct use of speed. All standard Mod 1 stuff in the UK, basically.
Listed errors that the robot examiner will be keeping an eye out for: insufficient braking force, applying clutch before braking or braking too early, or failing to brake with front and rear brakes. Of course, falling off the bike during the test is also listed as a fail, or not stopping in the indicated areas.
The plan is to get the system out of testing and trial phases, and up, running and functional by 2023 - before that happens, the system will need to achieve at least 80% efficiency in detecting errors in order to be considered for further evaluation, and get to 100% accuracy in detecting errors before being ready for use.
'Now, finish your motorcycle test by weaving your motorcycle between those sensors, lad'
Whilst the idea is there, it remains to be seen how cameras and sensors will be able to detect rider errors without human intervention, particularly how it would detect the correct use of brakes and clutch control, unless the bike is wired up too.
I’ll be honest, a Mod 1 test over here in the UK could be automated, but I can’t get my head around why they would want to do examiners out of jobs. But on the other hand, demand for tests is no doubt currently triple-booked up, so automating the process could get far more done in a day.
I’m personally all about the licence laws being looked at and revised, maybe not quite like this, though.
