Compared to car drivers, road hazards pose a much greater threat to motorcycle riders and increase the probability of an accident. A large crack in the road or a bit of oil in a turn might lead to a wipeout on two wheels while going unnoticed to drivers of four-wheel vehicles. To help keep motorcyclists safe, REVER has partnered up with Charles River Analytics (CRA) to introduce the industry’s first motorcycle hazard warning app driven by rider-sourced information. The company states that the technology not only identifies unique dangers for motorcycles, but it also allows riders to safely notice and report hazards while keeping their eyes on the road.

Dubbed BARRACUDA (Bolstering Awareness with Real-Time Rider Alerting and Cueing for Upcoming Danger Avoidance), the user-generated feature within the REVER app encourages riders to share accurate and real-time information about the roads and trails they’re exploring. The software is designed to help create safer roads, build community, and increase access to pertinent information for riders—no matter where they may be.

BARRACUDA provides timely hazard alerts designed to minimize distractions and, ultimately, keep motorcyclists safe. Notably, REVER users can interact with the in-app feature in a variety of ways, including through voice commands and button-based controls. In addition, CRA is working with tech company Everysight to integrate BARRACUDA into augmented reality motorcycle glasses with a heads-up display (HUD) to show the ride data on a screen in front of the rider’s eyes. 

“We like to think of BARRACUDA as the Waze for motorcyclists, but with a heightened emphasis on safety. Access to our millions of powersports enthusiasts allowed us to work with our partners to create a comprehensive, user-powered platform that warns riders of road hazards. This addresses a huge need for our community and we’re thrilled to be a part of the team bringing this technology to life,” said Justin Bradshaw, VP of Mobile Operations at REVER. 

BARRACUDA is available to REVER users on the Android platform, with the iOS version currently in private beta. For more information go to www.rever.co.