Euro NCAP approves the Soft Bicycle 360
The Soft Bicycle 360 has been approved by Euro NCAP for use in its ratings testing
The advanced cyclist ADAS target is designed to improve test efficiency and avoid damage to the vehicle under test
It is the latest addition to AB Dynamics Group’s growing portfolio of Euro NCAP-approved test equipment
The Soft Bicycle 360TM, a representative bicycle ADAS target supplied by AB Dynamics and sister company DRI, has been approved for use in official testing by Euro NCAP. It is the latest addition to the company’s growing range of officially listed test equipment, which also includes target and propulsion systems for car, motorcycle and pedestrian test scenarios.
“Cyclist safety is increasingly under the spotlight as they represent a growing share of road fatalities in the EU,” said Dr Andrew Pick, Business Director, Track Test Systems at AB Dynamics. “To combat this, Euro NCAP has recently increased the number of test scenarios involving a cyclist for both the passenger vehicle and HGV programmes. As these scenarios become more complex and demanding, the industry needs test objects that are both realistic and robust. That’s why it is great to have the Soft Bicycle 360 approved by Euro NCAP, so we can help contribute to improved safety for cyclists.”
The Soft Bicycle 360 underwent rigorous evaluation to ensure it met Euro NCAP’s requirements. AB Dynamics supplied extensive certification and back-to-back test data, in collaboration with an established Euro NCAP laboratory, to verify that the target is accurate, reliable and effective in ADAS testing programmes.
The Soft Bicycle 360 is 30% lighter than comparable targets, whilst maintaining stiffness, it has been designed to reduce the potential for damage to vehicles under test whilst being highly durable. It features a single-piece frame architecture that removes the requirement for connectors, which are prone to failure, and eliminates the need for time-consuming rebuilds after impact. It is manufactured from a thin rubberised material, with strategically-placed internal reinforcement encased within the frame to provide the necessary stiffness.
The rider’s legs, arms and torso are made from lightweight foam material, all of which is wrapped in abrasion-resistant clothing for added durability. The materials used for the rider and the bicycle have also been optimised to generate representative radar reflectivity, ensuring precise sensor characterisation in ADAS test scenarios.
One of the standout features of the Soft Bicycle 360 is its advanced wheel design. The wheel rim uses an innovative hybrid construction, including a durable rigid soft foam core and a protective rubberised skin layer. This not only creates the tyre profile but also eliminates any protruding hard points of the rim that could contact the test vehicle. It is connected to a hub via soft nylon string wheel spokes, which are less likely to break or damage the test vehicle compared to metal alternatives. This significantly improves the durability and repairability of a critically exposed area of a bicycle target.
The wheels make contact with the road using the same patented technology featured on the Soft Motorcycle 360™, meaning the wheel speed is inherently speed-matched and lateral forces are reduced to improve wheel stability.
Additionally, the design of the frame and wheel provides the capability to travel in both forward and backward directions. This enables the target to be quickly returned to its starting position in reverse to repeat the test, significantly improving test efficiency.
The Soft Bicycle 360 has been approved in conjunction with all AB Dynamics’ ADAS platform combinations. This includes the LaunchPad™ Spin, LaunchPadTM 50/60, LaunchPadTM 80 and legacy belt driven platforms. It is the latest addition to AB Dynamics’ portfolio of Euro NCAP-approved test equipment, which also includes the Soft Pedestrian 360TM, Soft Car 360®, Soft Motorcycle 360 and the LaunchPad and GSTTM target motion platforms.