Ducati and electronic innovation
Many of the electronic systems that today form the standard on motorcycles in different segments were first introduced by Ducati, which over the years has earned its place as one of the most pioneering companies in the field. . Ducati develops most of its electronic content in-house.
Some improvements introduced by Ducati
In 2008, with the 1098R, Ducati was the first motorcycle manufacturer to introduce the Traction Control System on motorcycles, enhancing the performance and safety standards of super sports motorcycles.
Just one year later, the LED headlights introduced on the Streetfighter 1100 represented another Ducati world first.
In 2010, Ducati presented the world’s first motorcycle capable of “shape-shifting” thanks to the presence of Riding Modes: the Multistrada 1200 S.
Other electronic innovations introduced by Ducati included Diavel’s TFT gauge, which, in 2011, is another example of a technical solution that has now become standard on motorcycles in every segment.
In 2012, the 1199 Panigale received the prestigious Compasso d’Oro design award which saw the introduction of Full-LED headlamps and electronic engine brake management in the motorcycle sector.
In 2014, together with Dainese, Ducati introduced the first motorcycle with an integrated system capable of communicating with the airbag in the jacket: the Multistrada 1200 Touring D|Air. At the time, the airbag system did not meet current safety standards, while the sophisticated Multistrada 1200 Touring D|Air system sent an activation signal in just 20 milliseconds in the event of a collision or skid .
In 2018, Ducati introduced the Slide By Brake system that allows to control the traction when braking on the Panigale V4.
With the Multistrada V4 in 2020, Ducati is the first motorcycle manufacturer to introduce radar to the two-wheeler world, enabling the implementation of Adaptive Cruise Control and Blind Spot Detection.
2023 saw the arrival of extended deactivation on the Multistrada V4 Rally, a sophisticated system that, by deactivating the two rear cylinders, helps reduce fuel consumption and heat.
In addition to working to introduce new technical solutions to the market, Ducati’s R&D works every day to develop and perfect existing bikes, improving them every year. This is what happened to Multistrada V4 owners, for example, who received the Minimum Preload and Easy Lift systems for free when they were introduced on later models, and who continue to receive them for free. benefit from the upgrade of the navigation system. Or the development process that Panigale V4 has undergone from 2018 to now.
xThe drive towards innovation in electronics goes hand in hand with the growth of the Electrical & Electronic Systems division, which has seen its resources quadruple in just over ten years.
Software and mobile application debugging activities are also performed in Electrical & Electronics Testing. Over the years, connectivity is also becoming an increasingly important aspect in the motorcycle sector and with the growing number of smartphone manufacturers and the constant updating of other operating systems. With each other, the presence of a group of people in the Company in charge of this aspect represents an added value to keep up with the times. An example of this work can be found in navigation systems: from the Phone Mirroring solution applied on the Multistrada V4, which transforms the dashboard into a color map navigation tool containing all information needed to control the motorcycle, go to the Turn Table. by-Turn system introduced in 2023 on DesertX and Diavel V4. These two solutions allow Ducati to not be tied to a specific operating system but allow compatibility with iOS and Android systems as well as the continuous development of the software, which is then updated free of charge. for customers.
