A new helmet called “LiveMap” not only protects a motorcyclist from head injury, it incorporates the latest in GPS navigation technology to ensure riders reach their destination quickly and safely.
Artist rendering of the LiveMap helmet.
The helmet does this by projecting directions on to the biker’s vision guard. It uses augmented reality to make navigation natural and user-friendly — full-color images appear at the center of the visor, but are not intrusive to the point of obstructing the rider’s view.
Navigation cues do not get in the way of a rider being able to see the road.
Information displayed ranges from turn-by-turn directions to traffic reports to weather forecasts. Navigating through all of the various options is done via the system’s voice-controlled interface, as the helmet features a microphone and earphones built into it. There is also a light sensor atop the helmet, which is used to adjust the projected image’s brightness levels, as well as a gyroscope, G-sensor, and digital compass to track head movement so that the picture can adjust as the biker’s head turns while riding.
The LiveMap helmet features several built-in components.
Despite the massive amount of technology built into this relatively small space, everything is comfortable and unobtrusive. In terms of safety, maps are displayed only when the helmet detects the bike travelling at slower speeds; the service is disabled when the rider is going at higher rates of speed.
The navigation map disappears from the visor when the helmet detects the rider travelling at higher speeds.
The LiveMap project started in Russia and quickly gained support of the Moscow Department of Science, Industrial Policy and Enterprise, the State Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises in Science and Technology of Russian Federation, and Skolkovo Foundation. With all of this backing, the LiveMap group
developed several prototypes for the outer shell, electronic board, optics, and software. They are presently seeking $150,000 via crowdsourcing site, IndieGoGo, in order to go into production.
Learn more about the LiveMap helmet via the video below:
Story via: indiegogo.com
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