Honda Introduces The Riding Trainer, an Easy-To-Use
PC-based Motorcycle Safety Training Device
TOKYO, Japan, January 30, 2006–Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
announced its decision to market the Riding Trainer (see below) to
authorized Honda motorcycle dealers and other corporations1 in Japan.
Designed to teach motorcycle safety effectively, the
Riding Trainer will be available by early February 2006.
Developed with a view to wider use of motorcycle safety
training devices, the Riding Trainer teaches riders to foresee and
predict the dangers encountered in motorcycle riding.
Based on technologies created for the Riding Simulator,
which is used at a variety of rider training centers, the Riding Trainer
is both lighter and less expensive than the Riding Simulator. The
Riding Trainer features a Riding Evaluation function to advise the user
and is ideal for convenient and easy training in motorcycle dealerships
and similar locations.
The total weight of the Riding Trainer is just 29 kg,
and the device is compact: overall length is 1,575 mm, overall width is
568 mm, and overall height is 923 mm. The product includes
motorcycle handlebar controls, pedal controls for clutch operation and
braking, a seat, a frame, and a board to hold a video monitor.
The Riding Trainer comes with proprietary software and
is connected via a USB cable to the user’s own PC. The software produces
images on a video monitor with which a Riding Trainer user interacts to
create a realistic riding simulation.
The proprietary software includes 2 beginner training
courses (Clutch Operation practice mode, City Riding practice mode) and
15 hazard prediction courses (City Riding mode, Touring mode), for a
total of 17 courses. Appropriate for both beginners and
experienced riders, the Riding Trainer offers manual and automatic
transmission simulation and a wide choice of other settings for a
training experience that matches any skill level. In addition, the
Riding Trainer offers on-screen visuals and audio guidance in English
and eight other languages.2
Sales of the Riding Trainer commenced in November 2005
in motorcycle dealers across Europe, where annual sales of 1,000 units
are planned. Going forward, sales will be expanded first to Asia and
then throughout the world as a means to further strengthen Honda’s
commitment to safety—a key element of the company’s activities.
Notes
1) The Riding Trainer is to be sold to dealers and corporations
that employ graduates of the Riding Advisor program and Riding Trainer
Training.
2) Available languages are English, Japanese, German, French, Italian,
Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Turkish (nine total).
Practice Courses:
Training for Beginners (2 courses)
1.Clutch Operation practice mode (1 course)
2.City Riding practice mode (1 course)
Hazard Prediction (15 courses)
1.City Riding practice mode (11 courses: 6 thoroughfare, 5 back street)
2.Touring practice mode (4 courses: freeway, coastal road, mountain
road, and city road)
About the Riding Advisor Credential
The Riding Advisor is a program administered by Honda Motorcycle Japan
Co., Ltd. for the sake of accrediting motorcycle dealer employees as
knowledgeable about safe and enjoyable riding, competent in everyday
vehicle inspection, and able to provide overall advice to meet user
needs. Offering instructor-led courses at five Honda Traffic
Education Centers in Japan (Motegi, Saitama, Hamanako, Suzuka, and
Kumamoto), the program currently boasts about 2,700 graduates.
About the Riding Trainer Training System
To help users gain the most value from the Riding Trainer, Honda has
implemented a special instructor-led training course at four Traffic
Education Centers (Motegi, Saitama, Suzuka, and Kumamoto) and the Honda
Safety Training Center in Shikoku. The course covers Honda’s
activities to promote safety, the history of development of the Riding
Trainer, the use of the product, an explanation of its software, and
training in how to help customers use the product effectively.
Original Honda Press Release for the Riding Trainer
PARIS, France, September 29, 2005 - Honda Europe
Motorcycle today announced the upcoming release of the Riding Trainer,
an easy-to-use, popular version of the Riding Simulator already in use
for traffic training at rider training centers, mainly in Japan.
Sales of the Riding Trainer will begin in late 2005
primarily targeting Honda motorcycle dealerships in Europe. Annual
sales in the European region are projected to reach 1,000 units.
Designed on the basis of expertise gained in the
development of the Riding Simulator, the Riding Trainer is intended to
enhance rider safety training programs at Honda motorcycle dealerships
and at other training centers and locations.
The simple design includes motorcycle handlebar and
pedal operation components, a seat, and a video monitor, along with a
lightweight frame. The total weight is just 29kg (not including
computer and monitor), and the device is compact: overall length is 1,575mm; overall
width 568mm; and overall height 923mm.
The Riding Trainer is designed to fit into small spaces
and is designed to help trainees learn to control and to develop the
ability to foresee and avoid hazardous situations. By connecting
the device to a Microsoft Windows compatible personal computer and installing the bundled software,
the training facility can offer the beginner valuable training and the
opportunity to virtually experience dangerous situations.
Hazardous situations riders are likely to face when
sharing busy roads with other motorcycles, cars and pedestrian can be
examined from various perspectives using automatic replay , and after
each session the trainee is offered printable on-screen assessment, and
guidance for safer riding based on the individual’s actual performance
(Riding Evaluation).
The Riding Trainer will also be introduced in Australia
at around the same time, and Honda also plans to release the new product
in Asia and elsewhere.
As part of Honda’s effort to promote safety, the release
of the Riding Trainer reinforces the company’s traffic safety education
programs at dealership and in other locations worldwide.
Bundled Software includes: Training for Beginners, including 2 courses:
Clutch Operation practice mode and City Riding practice mode.
Hazard Prediction, including 14 courses: City Riding practice mode
(10 courses). Touring practice mode (4 courses). Note that
the Riding Evaluation is available for City Riding mode only. All
courses can simulate either manual or automatic transmission.
Background visuals can be switched (day/night/fog). On-screen
visuals and audio guidance are available in 8 European languages.
