Snow Goer January 2025 | Page 41

allow the vehicle to perform at its maximum potential .
In the motorcycle racing world , brands such as Ducati , Yamaha , Honda , Suzuki , Aprilia , Triumph and more have outfitted their race bikes with IMUs to further enhance their competitive edge . Brake and engine performance correction kick in if a sensor determines the rate of wheel slide during a lean exceeds a motion model inside the Engine Control Unit , thereby producing maximum acceleration or deceleration data to shed milliseconds off of lap times .
Beyond the go and stop of a race machine , some models boast an electronically controlled suspension system that alters the damping force of the front fork and rear shock based on information about road conditions from the IMU and various sensors to keep traction .
Seeing the success on the track has resulted in more bikes being produced with anti-lock brake systems . IMU integration with the smart braking systems keeps riders safer during varied incidents ( a rear wheel lock having ABS kick in or a slide which would toggle engine performance for traction control ). In fact , many street bikes come with rider modes such as a “ Rain ” setting that puts lower limits on the maximum levels of acceleration to reduce spin / loss of traction .
What does all this mean ? IMUs are everywhere . They help
This is a 6D IMU device from Bosch used by various brands in the street bike market .
us conduct daily tasks , make journeys through the friendly skies possible , keep us safe on the roads and now are making their way into snowmobiles , all in memory of Sir Isaac Newton ’ s brilliant principles . Thank you , physics !
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