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RightViu: Continental's Retrofittable Right Side Blind Spot Monitor for Trucks, to Protect Cyclists

A new EU safety regulation yields better protection for unseen bikes

By Rain Noe - April 22, 2021

in Bikes

Cycling along the right side of a truck in NYC was always nerve-wracking--particularly when you remembered the news stories about bicyclists who were killed because the driver couldn't or didn't see them. Even in relatively bike-friendly Europe, the problem is bad enough that EU Member States have issued a mandate that new trucks, buses and heavy-duty vehicles from 2022 onward, and all newly-registered vehicles in those categories from 2024 onward, must contain on-board safety systems including pedestrian and cyclist detection systems that provide warnings and/or prevent collisions.

It would not be practical for fleet owners to buy all-new vehicles that meet the requirements. Thus auto parts manufacturer Continental AG has designed and built a retrofittable system called RightViu, "the pioneering solution for effectively minimizing the potential danger that lurks in the blind spot."

The company claims the system is flexible and modular enough to be installed to any vehicle, and that it provides 4 meters of coverage to the side and 14 meters rearward, which exceeds the 2.5m/6m distances specified by the regulations. Here's the protected area that the sensors can pick up within:

And here's what it looks like when the system is tripped/activated by a cyclist:

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By the way, it's not clear in the video with the music bed, but Continental says that a buzzer sounds in conjunction with the flashing red light.

I'd like to see a more strident alert, but I suppose it's better than nothing. I'd love to see a design competition showing some alternate warning options.

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Toby B

3 years ago

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Looks promising, note that cyclists often can't see a turn signal / indicator if they're riding next to a truck, so another design improvement would just be an extra light that's clearly visible from the side of the truck, not only in front of it or behind it.

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steve hassler

3 years ago

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Bravo. Bravo. This is very forward thinking and long overdue. It shows a solid commitment to supporting the bike community.

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- steve hassler
  
  steve hassler
  
  3 years ago
  
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  In a broader sense, it seems like vehicles designed with blind spots should simply not be legal. Imagine we are designing vehicles where you might kill someone because you can't see them next to you? We certainly have the tech these days to address this.
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Marc B

3 years ago

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I would like to see more of an effort to educate cyclists to stay away from the sides of turning trucks, especially in the city. I see a cyclist die by being run over by a turning truck every couple years in the Boston area - the rear wheels cut the corner closer and cyclists die. Every time there is outrage, every time calls for penalties and arresting the driver, every time a white bike. Never do I see an article telling cyclists - watch f*king rear wheels of the trucks. It has been a couple years since the last one, so It should happen again shortly.

As for this device, I think there would be to many false positive in a city (trashcans, parked cars, parked motorcycles, pedestrians on side walks, poles, etc.) for it to be useful.

As 20 year city cyclist, I say it time for cyclists to be intelligent and take some personal responsibility and watch the rear wheels of trucks, it is effective.

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- Frank Borsboom
  
  Marc B
  
  3 years ago
  
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  I think this is also true. There also needs to be education for cyclists.
  
  Very Dutch story:
  Around the age of 10, at school, you learn a lot about safety and cycling. like sticking your hand out when making a turn and looking behind your back. But also about how truck drivers cannot see you at their side.
  And a couple of years after I had this exam There was also a national push (or broader, I don't know i was 12...) to put in the extra mirrors for the drivers, and also to put stickers on govermental trucks (garbage disposal trucks and such) that show where you are not seen by the driver.
  So in my head, from a young age, it is just pushed into my head to be careful around trucks.
  Education man! :D
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