Now that I have a motorcycle, I realize the potential future possibilities of the helmet. Wherein the helmet can become more than just mere protection, but a useful interface and aid to the rider. The concept stems from three currently available, but edgy technologies: transparent displays, blue tooth, and EEG recording.
Technology 1: Transparent Displays
Transparent displays are just now being put into high end cars and modern aircraft to create a dashboard on the windshield allows the driver or pilot to view the instruments, like speedometer, radar, engine problems, etc. This is typically done with a projected display onto a special film on the window. It can also be performed by simply building the LCD into the screen. The built in is not done because it is more costly in terms of construction of the display and a crack or chip in the display becomes an LCD ink blot. The projector could potentially be built into the visor of a motor cycle helmet, especial now that mini projectors are starting to emerge and are planned for future generation mobile phones. This would help the rider in much the same way it helps a driver or pilot, by allowing the eyes to stay on the road.
Technology 2: Blue Tooth
This already exists in the form of an N-Com system that allows a motorcyclist to communicate to passenger or cell phone. This is a good start in terms of making the helmet more useful, now it just needs to tie into the motorcycle itself for the rest of the information.
Technology 3: EEG Recording
EEG is a measure of brain waves. We already see this dropping into the consumer market with the OCZ NIA game controller. It uses a combination of eye muscle movements and EEG readings to allow a user control aspects of a video game. This could be adapted to allow control over the interface for the display screen, or through blue tooth answer or make an emergency call on a cell phone. We could then accelerate this to the next level of complete control over the vehicle, which would be cool, and not unheard of as the military has tried to do this for aircraft. However, that may be a little too far down the road. Instead we could use the EEG information to determine the state of the driver, and warn them if that are getting too tired, distracted, etc. Further the EEG electrodes could easily disappear into the helmet without looking like an awkward head band.
Combining the ideas would create a helmet that help the rider keep their eyes on the road while only having to think about what needs to displayed on the visor, as well as creating an alert system as to the tiredness of the rider. Or just "think" to make an emergency phone call, like seeing an accident on the side of the road. This should be feasible to build in 5-10 years given the current trend of technology, and the real limiting factor is the transparent display, which could be done without the projector today, but just may not work as well.
Anyway, it's just a thought.
Technology 1: Transparent Displays
Transparent displays are just now being put into high end cars and modern aircraft to create a dashboard on the windshield allows the driver or pilot to view the instruments, like speedometer, radar, engine problems, etc. This is typically done with a projected display onto a special film on the window. It can also be performed by simply building the LCD into the screen. The built in is not done because it is more costly in terms of construction of the display and a crack or chip in the display becomes an LCD ink blot. The projector could potentially be built into the visor of a motor cycle helmet, especial now that mini projectors are starting to emerge and are planned for future generation mobile phones. This would help the rider in much the same way it helps a driver or pilot, by allowing the eyes to stay on the road.
Technology 2: Blue Tooth
This already exists in the form of an N-Com system that allows a motorcyclist to communicate to passenger or cell phone. This is a good start in terms of making the helmet more useful, now it just needs to tie into the motorcycle itself for the rest of the information.
Technology 3: EEG Recording
EEG is a measure of brain waves. We already see this dropping into the consumer market with the OCZ NIA game controller. It uses a combination of eye muscle movements and EEG readings to allow a user control aspects of a video game. This could be adapted to allow control over the interface for the display screen, or through blue tooth answer or make an emergency call on a cell phone. We could then accelerate this to the next level of complete control over the vehicle, which would be cool, and not unheard of as the military has tried to do this for aircraft. However, that may be a little too far down the road. Instead we could use the EEG information to determine the state of the driver, and warn them if that are getting too tired, distracted, etc. Further the EEG electrodes could easily disappear into the helmet without looking like an awkward head band.
Combining the ideas would create a helmet that help the rider keep their eyes on the road while only having to think about what needs to displayed on the visor, as well as creating an alert system as to the tiredness of the rider. Or just "think" to make an emergency phone call, like seeing an accident on the side of the road. This should be feasible to build in 5-10 years given the current trend of technology, and the real limiting factor is the transparent display, which could be done without the projector today, but just may not work as well.
Anyway, it's just a thought.
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