- The lights switch from white to red when the rider applies the brakes.
- This is done using built-in accelerometers inside the helmet.
- The Sotera Advanced Helmet is rechargeable via USB too.
- There’s no patent applied, so other manufacturers can freely use this feature.
Compared to cars, spotting a two-wheeler on the road can be quite tricky, particularly at night. This is because two-wheelers are physically smaller and their tail lights are small too. However, there seems to be a fix now. New York-based designer Joe Doucet has come up with a helmet which comes with a colour-changing LED panel on the lower portion to alert others of the rider’s presence on the road.
Called the Sotera Advanced Helmet, it comes with built-in accelerometers which detect when the rider brakes and changes the colour from white to red. It essentially mirrors the brake light function of the bike. When the battery is depleted, one can recharge the helmet via a USB port. The half-face helmet gets chrome highlights and looks properly retro. Being a designer helmet, we expect it to be priced on the higher side compared to a conventional one.
Since it has the potential to save lives, Joe Doucet decided to not patent his invention so that other helmet manufacturers can also replicate it. This isn’t the first time an illuminated helmet has hit the market. A startup from our own country called LightFury Innovations offers DIY layout-customisable lighting kits for conventional helmets. These are powered by AAA batteries.
Also Read: Honda Wants To Let You Unlock Your Scooter With Your Helmet
It also has a controller for multiple lighting modes but lacks the accelerometer which the Sotera gets. However, it does serve the purpose of making the rider more visible on the road! That being said, if you’re really on a budget but don’t want to compromise on safety, reflective stickers on the helmet would work too.
from ZigWheels http://bit.ly/2F39R3v
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