Ducati has completed its first US demonstration of a communication system that interlinks vehicles, street infrastructure and pedestrians, technology in which it has developed alongside Audi, Ford and Qualcomm Technologies.

As a part of the 2019 Consumer Electronic Show (CES), a Ducati Multistrada 1260 as well as Audi and Ford vehicles, demonstrated driving situations utilising C-V2X direct communications.

All vehicles were equipped with C-V2X technology featuring the Qualcomm 9150 C-V2X chipset to demonstrate a cooperative intersection use case, exhibiting how C-V2X can be used between vehicles to negotiate the right of way in entering a four-way, non-signalised intersection where intention sharing and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions make the use of a wireless sensor such as C-V2X ideal.

The companies also exhibited additional Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) safety scenarios, demonstrating the maturity and potential of C-V2X technology. The V2V use case featured the Intersection Movement Assist (IMA) scenario, which is a key countermeasure to address angle collisions at intersections, while the V2P scenario exhibited how C-V2X can be used to protect vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.

The V2I use case featured the Work Zone Warning scenario, which is designed to provide drivers advanced warning of road construction ahead allowing them to manoeuvre in a safe manner.

This week’s Las Vegas demonstrations follow the successful showings of C-V2X trial validations and interoperability conducted throughout 2018 in Europe, Japan, Australia, China and the United States, as well as the first live C-V2X interoperability demonstration between a motorcycle, vehicles and roadside infrastructure, which was hosted by several leading automotive and technology companies, including Ducati and Qualcomm Technologies.

Ducati, Audi, and Ford are amongst several global automakers who have closely evaluated C-V2X technology for its reliability, high-performance capabilities and readiness through rigorous testing. Currently, C-V2X is the only V2X alternative that provides a clear evolution path to 5G, in a backward compatible manner, and is designed to deliver reliable and consistent performance in realistic driving scenarios.

While complementing other Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) sensors, such as radar, lidar, and camera systems, C-V2X direct communications supports an ever-expanding set of safety use cases, as well as enhanced situational awareness by detecting and directly exchanging vital information.

Additionally, C-V2X is designed with a focus on security, benefitting from established security transport layers and application protocols defined by the automotive standards communities, including ISO, ETSI and IEEE 1609.

Because C-V2X can be easily integrated into all wireless modems to offer direct and network communications, its implementation is cost-effective, which is especially important as the automotive industry continues to move towards adding wireless connectivity in all vehicles.

The demonstration by Ducati, Audi, Ford, and Qualcomm Technologies will be conducted live in Las Vegas by appointment and will also be livestreamed by Qualcomm Technologies.

Initially unveiled in late July 2018, Harley-Davidson has now released details of it production LiveWire electric motorcycle that will make its way onto the market in the coming years.

Boasting powerful acceleration capable of from 0 to 60mph (96.5kph) in under 3.5 seconds, the instant torque provided by the H-D Revelation electric powertrain can produce 100 percent of its rated torque the instant the throttle is twisted, and 100 percent of that torque is always available.

Electric power requires no clutch and no gear shifting, greatly simplifying operation for new riders. All riders will appreciate the braking effect of the power regeneration mode as it adds charge to the battery, especially in stop-and-go urban traffic.

The LiveWire motorcycle is equipped with H-D Connect, which pairs motorcycle riders with their bikes through an LTE-enabled Telematics Control Unit coupled with connectivity and cloud services using the latest version of the Harley-Davidson App.

This technology makes the LiveWire motorcycle the first North American mass-market cellular-connected electric motorcycle. With H-D Connect, data is collected and transferred to the app to provide information to the rider’s smartphone about the motorcycle’s status, providing information on battery charge status and available range from any location where sufficient cellular signal is available.

This allows the rider to remotely check the charge status including charge level and time to completion. Riders will be able to locate a charging station with ease thanks to an integrated location finder built into the H-D App.

H-D Connect indicates the location of the parked LiveWire motorcycle and alerts can be sent to the rider’s smartphone if the bike is tampered with or moved. GPS-enabled stolen-vehicle tracking provides peace of mind that the motorcycle’s location can be tracked. Reminders about upcoming vehicle service requirements and other vehicle care notifications will be provided to the rider through the H-D App. In addition, riders will receive automated service reminders.

The bike has the ability to travel an estimated 110 miles (177 kilometres) of urban roads on a single charge, while its chassis is designed to deliver agile handling for confident control on urban streets and a thrilling ride on curving backroads.

The H-D Revelation powertrain sits low in the motorcycle to lower the centre of gravity and help the motorcycle handle well at all speeds and make it easier to control when stopped. The motorcycle also features premium technology – Electronic Chassis Control is standard and features a cornering-enhanced Anti-lock Braking System and Traction Control. The systems are fully electronic and utilse the latest inertial measurement unit and ABS sensor technology.

The electric engine produces minimal vibration, heat, and noise, all of which enhance rider comfort. The LiveWire model is designed to produce a new signature Harley-Davidson sound as it accelerates and gains speed; this new futuristic sound represents the smooth, electric power of the LiveWire motorcycle.

The all-new Harley-Davidson LiveWire Motorcycle will be on sale in only select markets this year. For Australia and New Zealand markets, the Livewire will be released in late 2020.

A ban on flex commissions implemented by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) as of 1 November 2018 has been met with encouragement from national management at Yamaha Motor Finance (YMF).

The high-profile ban on flex commissions is across the automotive finance market including motorcycles for consumers, introduced to result in fairer and more transparent loans for customers.

Flex commissions were previously paid by lenders to dealerships, which ASIC says led to loans being granted at excessive and opportunistic rates since the higher the interest rates, the larger the commissions earned by dealers.

The ban is anticipated to provide consumers interest rates based on their financial position through an individual credit score, rather than their ability to negotiate. Now the lender determines the interest rates offered and dealers cannot suggest alternate higher rates that earns them added commissions. Lower rates can be offered however, of benefit to the consumer.

YMF, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yamaha Motor Australia, launched in 2002, and available throughout Yamaha dealerships across the country. YMF national sales manager Michael Singh said the new simplified model will certainly result in greater transparency for consumers and that customers will receive the right product for their financial situation.

“The flex commission changes will be good for consumers,” Singh stated. “At YMF we always try to ensure that the product is right for the customer and that it fits their budget. The new flex changes will help to speed up the loan application process within Yamaha dealerships, making it even more convenient for consumers, which is very important to us.”

Interest rates are now largely to be determined by each customer’s Equifax Australia Credit Score. YMF has invested new technology and has completed extensive training within its dealer network to coincide with regulations set by ASIC. Turnaround times for YMF applicants to receive interest rates on finance will be within seconds once data collected by the dealer is entered into the system.

An indicative rate can be quoted by dealers prior to applying for finance, however a final and accurate rate will only be generated once the application has been lodged. A responsible lending factor to ensure credit criteria must still be met, while the ability for lenders to conduct finance promotions through manufacturers will remain unaffected.

According to ASIC, lenders who do not comply with the ban face penalties of up to $420,000 per contravention and ASIC will be monitoring lenders to ensure they are complying and the prohibition is operating as intended. A review of procedures has been taking place for around five years, leading up to the flex commissions ban.