I know at a couple of points throughout my blog posts I've mentioned why I'd rather have the notifications for 'you're in a blind spot' in the helmet rather than onboard the bike, but I thought it would be best to dedicate a blog to it on its own. So here goes:
After speaking to a few bikers, I concluded that it would be cool to have the notification helmet based rather than on the bike. The bikers agreed, so I set to work to see if this would be a feasible way of doing it. After a quick google search online, I found several products had used helmet based technology already. These ranged from the obvious (such as biker to biker intercoms) to the less obvious (a full smart helmet made by Skully). By reading even just a few online articles, it was clear that people enjoyed the idea of in-helmet tech, but that the concept, when brought to life, was never really embraced.
I decided to phone someone I know who builds custom motorbikes and get their opinion on helmet tech. The short answer they thought it was a great idea. They said even as a custom bike builder that they like the idea of their motorbikes remaining 'naked' as too much tech on a bike can ruin the experience of riding. Even if the primary technology was fitted to the bike, but the feedback was through the helmet, the kit would feel more like helmet technology than helmet feedback. Also, since this product is intended to be a training aid and NOT a riding aid (helping beginners rather than everyday riders) keeping notifications in the eye line of the rider would be more useful than having them look down every few seconds. If the notification wasn't in the eye line of the rider, they could easily miss any warnings or completely forget the even have the kit fitted. Of course, there's the argument that if it's helmet based for the rider that it could be distracting. Still, personally, I feel that better it run the risk of being distracting (and designed to be a little distracting as possible) than run the risk of it being missed altogether.
On the topic distraction, the 'warning' notification that you're in a blind spot isn't going to be on all the time, only if you've been in a blind spot for a considerable amount of time (currently working to 5 seconds, but this might change) and can easily be turned off by the quick access button fitted to the bars (click here to see the renders I've made of possible designs). This means that notifications don't need to be distracting at all, as even when made to sleep the kit will still register and record blind spots and refer them to you at the end of your journey (and click here to see how it will do that).
Bikes also vary a lot in shape and size. Two models of the same motorcycle could be entirely different depending on if a keen customiser owns it or not, so bike based feedback could have difficulty having a home. While some bikes have mirrors fitted before the grips, and some have bar-end mirrors. Some even have bar end indicators! So finding a place that can fit the feedback on all bikes will prove difficult. Helmets, on the other hand, while many of them appearing different in size and shape all follow the same foundations and are designed to integrate the same aftermarket kit. 99% of helmets allow for some form of the intercom to be fitted, so if the helmet based feedback can clip to the helmet the same way other products have for years, we'll be sweet.
So there we are. Hopefully, that cleared up why I'm aiming to have helmet based feedback. If I can think of any other points, I'll come back and update this blog, but depending on when you're reading it, you'll have no idea if it's been updated or not.
That's all for today, thanks!
Cover Photo Image: Griffin, B. (2020) Person in black helmet and blue jacket. Available at: https://unsplash.com/photos/DgwCCZeVrG4 (Accessed: 22/03/2020).
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