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MotoChat allows rider to message traffic

MotoChat message warning sms

Imagine being able to send a written message to traffic thanking them for leaving a gap, warning them of emergency braking or abusing them for cutting you off!

A simple wave or finger gesture has always been enough for me, but some may like more precise communication.

Now French company Omicron has launched a crowd-funding program on Indiegogo to produce LED signs for motorcycles and cars so riders and drivers can communicate with each other.

They’re called MotoChat and CarChat.

The devices use a Bluetooth microphone, universal voice recognition and an LED board that fits on a bike’s number plate.

Dictate message

Riders simply dictate their message through the microphone to the LED board which shows seven letters, but also scrolls so you can display a longer message.

The microphone uses a different signal to normal bluetooth intercom so it won’t interfere.

There is also a three-axis gyroscope accelerometer that will detect emergency braking and automatically translate it to the LED board as a warning to drivers behind.

However, let’s hope they spell “brake” correctly and not “break” as in the video!MotoChat message warning

SOS function

MotoChat also includes an SOS function in the event of a crash.

The accelerometer detects lean angles of more than 67 degrees and interprets that as a crash.MotoChat message warning

The GPRS tracker will note the exact location and an associated app that works with any smartphone will send an SOS message with GPS location to a prerecorded number of your choice, so long as there is signal.

The person who receives the SOS can then alert emergency services at the touch of a button.

There is no subscription required for the service as there is with some other emergency tracking devices.

The European Union now requires all new cars to have a similar SOS device called eCall and it will only be a matter of time before that extends t al new motorcycles.

BMW already has an eCall function available on some of its bikes.

BMW Motorrad SOS alert button tracker message
BMW’s SOS button

MotoChat price

Retail price will be €90 for MotoChat and €119 for CarChat. Supporters of their Indiegogo funding campaign will be able to order them for €60 and €80.

he only use I could see for this device is to ask road hogs to move over and let me pass. However, the driver wouldn’t see that message unless I displayed it on the front of my bike!

  • What are some of the messages you would like to send? Leave your reply in the box below.