Hero Bikes & Scooters To Get Smarter & Safer!

  • Published January 13, 2026
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Hero’s next big upgrade might not be a new engine

Hero & Valeo To Develop Advanced Rider Aids For Hero Bikes And Scooters

Quick Read: 

  • Hero partners with Valeo to develop Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS)

  • ARAS will be fitted to a wide range of Hero’s product lineup

Safety is paramount when it comes to riding a motorcycle, especially in India, where it’s not just other vehicles you have to watch out for at any given moment. From pedestrians and stray animals to sudden lane changes and unpredictable traffic flow, Indian roads throw up challenges that are very different from those in global markets. This is precisely where technology can step in to lend a helping hand, and Hero MotoCorp seems to be heading in that direction.

Hero Xoom 160 with ARAS

Hero has announced a partnership with global automotive technology supplier, Valeo, to develop Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) for its two-wheelers. The safety tech is being developed for a wide range of products, from premium Hero bikes to mass-market scooters, including the brand’s Vida electric scooter lineup.

What The Hero-Valeo Partnership Brings To The Table

The collaboration focuses on integrating Valeo’s radar and smart camera technologies into Hero motorcycles and scooters. These systems are designed to constantly monitor the surroundings and provide real-time alerts to the rider in potentially risky situations. According to Hero, the aim is to improve rider awareness and safety while accounting for dense traffic, mixed road usage and vulnerable road users.

Hero and Valeo have already co-developed proof-of-concept ARAS systems, which are capable of detecting both vehicles and pedestrians. The technology is also being engineered to work across internal combustion as well as electric two-wheelers, making it relevant for Hero’s current and future product portfolio.

Hero Vida VX2

ADAS, But For Bikes

ARAS works on the same basic principle as ADAS in cars, but tailored for two-wheelers. Hero describes it as a digital co-pilot that creates a 360-degree safety envelope around the vehicle. Instead of taking control, the system supports the rider with timely warnings, helping them react faster to changing road situations.

The feature list includes Forward Collision Warning, Distance Warning, Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Collision Warning. While such tech was once limited to high-end global motorcycles, we’ve already seen homegrown electric brand Ultraviolette implement radar-based rider assistance on its X47 Crossover, proving that Indian manufacturers are ready to take the leap.

Hero Xtreme 250R

India-Ready Or Global-Only? That’s The Big Question

That said, a key aspect to watch will be how well this system is calibrated for Indian road conditions. Our traffic scenarios are far more chaotic and unpredictable than what such systems are usually trained for in global markets. Whether Hero fine-tunes ARAS specifically for India or initially restricts it to international models is something only time will tell.

Another factor to consider is cost. Introducing advanced safety tech on Hero’s premium motorcycles and scooters will almost certainly lead to a price hike. In a value-sensitive market like ours, that could impact sales volumes. How Hero manages to integrate ARAS without pushing prices too far beyond the current range will be a crucial and interesting challenge to track going forward.

On paper, this is a solid move in the right direction. If Hero can localise, calibrate and price ARAS smartly, it could set a new benchmark for two-wheeler safety in India. But as with any cutting-edge tech, the real test will be how well it works on our roads and how much riders are willing to pay for that added layer of protection.

 

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