Hero MotoCorp is about to turn your daily commute into a sci-fi movie. As of Monday, January 12, 2026, the Indian two-wheeler giant has officially partnered with the French tech firm Valeo to bring high-tech radar and cameras to its bikes.
The thing is, we’ve had ADAS in cars for a while, but putting “eyes” on a motorcycle is a whole different ball game. Or nothing. Let’s be real, in India’s chaotic traffic, having a “digital co-pilot” that doesn’t blink is probably the best upgrade a rider can get. Those too.
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The “ARAS” Log: Field Notes
It’s an ongoing situation where the tech was just showcased at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, and it’s headed to everything from your budget Splendor to the premium VIDA electrics.
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The 360-Degree Shield: They’re calling it Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS). The thing is, it creates a “safety envelope” around you. If a car is in your blind spot while you’re lane-merging on the Western Express Highway, the bike will actually alert you before you make the move.
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Radar vs. Vision: It’s a dual-threat system. The radar handles the “invisible” stuff like Blind Spot Detection and Rear Collision Warnings. The smart camera is the brain—it reads traffic signs, spots pedestrians, and warns you if you’re drifting out of your lane.
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The Low-Light Win: And here’s the kicker—the Valeo system uses intelligent image processing that can “see” obstacles and road signs in pitch-black conditions or heavy fog. The thing is, this is a massive win for highway touring.
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Coming to VIDA: The first production bike to likely feature this is the VIDA VXZ electric motorcycle (the one Hero co-developed with Zero Motorcycles), which debuted at EICMA last November and is slated for a mid-2026 release.
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Hero ARAS: Key Safety Features
| Feature | Tech Used | What It Does |
| Blind Spot Detection (BSD) | Rear Radar | Alerts you of vehicles you can’t see in your mirrors. |
| Forward Collision Warning | Front Radar/Cam | Beeps or vibrates the handlebar if you’re closing in too fast. |
| Traffic Sign Recognition | Smart Camera | Displays speed limits and ‘No Entry’ signs on your TFT dash. |
| Lane Change Assist | Dual Radar | Tells you if it’s safe to switch lanes at high speeds. |
And Here’s the Kicker…
Hero isn’t just saving this for their ₹2 lakh+ bikes. The thing is, they’ve signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to make this tech “accessible.” And then there’s the Bajaj Chetak launch on January 14—rumors say Bajaj might also tease their own safety tech to counter Hero’s move.
It’s an ongoing situation where the two-wheeler market is finally moving past “mileage” and focusing on “survival.” If you’re planning to buy a bike in 2026, you might want to wait a few months for these “smart” models to hit the showrooms.
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