H-GEAR

High performance Galileo Emergency Anti-theft and Rescue

In recent years, more and more drivers have switched to two-wheelers. 

Congested cities, fuel efficiency, lower environmental impact or simply the sense of freedom while riding are some of the reasons why motorcycles are gaining ground as a favourite means of transport. The double-digit spike in motorbike sales in 2020, notwithstanding the crisis in automotive, clearly underlines this preference. 

Seeing this shift in transportation patterns and with motorcycles thefts soaring, the “High performance Galileo Emergency Anti-theft and Rescue” (H-Gear) project was conceived.

The project developed a twofold solution to provide safety and security to motorcycle drivers by relying on EU Space technology, in particular that of Galileo. 

The delivered H-GEAR project output is a motorbike that integrates antitheft and eCall system and introduces in the mass market a unique proposition for the reliability of accuracy in positioning, service continuity, time for acquisition, and data transmission.

The H-Gear project targets the development of an eCall and anti-theft system based on Galileo for small and medium motorcycles. In case the vehicle is moved, an alert message is sent to the owner of the vehicle via a dedicated mobile application. It is then up to the user to decide whether to call the authorities and intervene. The Galileo based chipset in the device allows users and the authorities to track down the vehicle but also to authenticate the location and identify spoofing attempts, thanks to the unique Galileo Authentication Service (OSNMA). The mobile app offers several features such as parking locator, for forgetful riders, and acts as a dashboard storing information on the vehicle, travel information, and battery status.

Challenge and technical solution

Among the faced challenges, some of the key ones are the integration of an anti-theft and e-call Galileo based system into a small/medium-size scooter manageable by the user through a mobile application, battery duration, and the antenna performance in a stressed environment, due to the vibrations and potential accidents. 

As a result, the system comprises:

• a fully integrated device, built into the frame or wiring of the motorcycle
• a software suite for the monitoring and control of the eCall and anti-theft services
• a user mobile application for the interaction with the end user.