Valeo and Hero MotoCorp have announced a strategic partnership to co-develop Advanced Rider Assistance Systems (ARAS) for motorcycles and scooters, marking a significant step toward enhanced safety in the two-wheeler market.
The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed on January 8, 2026, brings together Valeo's expertise in automotive sensing technology with Hero MotoCorp's manufacturing scale and market reach. The partnership aims to introduce intelligent safety features across both entry-level and premium two-wheeler segments, including Hero's electric mobility portfolio under the VIDA brand.
The ARAS platform utilizes Valeo's radar and smart camera technologies to create what the companies describe as a "360-degree safety envelope" around vehicles. The system is designed to address the complexities of urban traffic environments and protect both riders and pedestrians through real-time sensing and intelligent alerts.
Key features of the radar-based system include Forward Collision Warning, Distance Warning, Lane Change Assist, Blind Spot Detection, and Rear Collision Warning. The vision system, powered by high-resolution cameras, enables Pedestrian Detection, Lane Detection, Traffic Sign Recognition, and Lane Departure Warning. The technology functions even in low-light conditions and works across both internal combustion and electric two-wheelers.
Marc Vrecko, Chief Executive Officer of Valeo's Brain Division, emphasized the partnership's significance for the growing mobility market in India and globally. "This collaboration is a key step in our strategy to bring advanced technology to the rapidly growing mobility market," he stated.
Ram Kuppuswamy, Chief Operations Officer of Plant Operations at Hero MotoCorp, highlighted the company's commitment to making advanced safety technology accessible. "Together, we aim to make two-wheeler safety accessible to everyone and set new standards for innovation and protection globally," he said.
The partnership has already produced successful proof-of-concept systems. ARAS concepts and technologies were showcased at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, demonstrating the future direction of intelligent safety solutions for two-wheelers.
Hero MotoCorp, headquartered in New Delhi, is the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters for 24 consecutive years, with approximately $5 billion in revenue and a customer base exceeding 125 million across 52 countries. Valeo, a Paris-based technology company, reported sales of 21.5 billion euros in 2024 and employs over 106,000 people across 28 countries.