Of the few riders who tried MotoGP’s latest helmet radio system in the Aragon test, Brad Binder was the most positive about the technology’s performance.
Helmet radios have been used in Formula 1 for decades, but in MotoGP it is a much more complicated task.
However, after several years of development, it appears ready to send on-track safety messages to riders from the direction of the race in 2026.
The ultimate goal appears to be a more controversial use of tactical two-way communication between riders and teams.
Unlike F1’s established IN-EIR radio communications, the MOTOGP system utilizes bone conduction technology via “pads” that lie on the rider’s jawbone.
KTM’s Brad Binder Test Helmet Radio
In Monday’s Aragon MotoGP test, several riders struggled to clearly hear pre-recorded messages along the fast straights of the circuit due to excessive noise and minor helmet movements affecting the position of the headphones.
However, the Blood Binders at Red Bull KTM did not experience such problems,
“To be honest, they did an amazing job! I was really impressed,” South Africa said.
“My helmet didn’t feel different and I didn’t realize I had nothing. Whether you’re your head up or the perfect gas at the back of the screen, the message is very clear. So, yeah, they did a good job with it.”
When asked specifically about the clarity during the fast straights where Alex Marquez, Lorenzo Sabadri and Johann Zarco had a hard time hearing the message clearly, Binder replied.
“Yeah! I was so surprised. I don’t know if anyone of you tried these little (bone conduction) headphones.
“It’s similar to this. It works in the superwell.”
“Whether we need them is another question.”
The related hardware was not an issue either, the binder said:
“For me, I put on my helmet and they put a small box on my hump. I didn’t feel anything or notice anything.
“It was the first time I’d ever tried it. I’d never used it before. Honestly, I was very impressed with how it worked.”
But while the technology may be successful, “whether we need to talk to you is another question,” Binder added.
“But if that’s what they want, I don’t care.”
The binder sets the 13th fastest time in the test.