THE idea of incorporating a heads-up display into a motorcycle helmet is not a new one – firms like Skully have been trying to perfect it for years – but perhaps the involvement of a major force like BMW is just what the technology needs to get off the ground.
BMW has revealed its own HUD helmet at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week 'with a view to offering this technology in motorcycle in the future.'
The helmet includes a lens ahead of the rider’s left eye, onto which pertinent information like speed and traffic warnings are projected. Although not shown, presumably sat nav directions would also appear in the rider’s view.
The firm also points out that with the help of forthcoming vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems that BMW is helping to develop as part of a consortium of manufacturers, the HUD could display warnings of unexpected hazards.
Other proposed ideas for the technology include incorporating a rear-view camera into the helmet and using the HUD as a digital rear-view mirror, plus the ability to visualise the positions of other riders in a group, again thanks to V2V.
BMW’s prototype is controlled via buttons on the left hand bar, allowing the display to be switched and the camera system to be turned on and off. The helmet is wireless, and can operate for around five hours before the two replaceable batteries go flat.
The firm says it intends to develop the technology to a production level within the next few years.
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