June 18, 2012

Wouter Walmink, a researcher at RMIT University, wants to add more functionality to helmets aside from their primary use in protection from falls.

His helmet invention, the LumaHelm, is completely covered by LEDs that can be controlled by motion using a sensor in the top of the helmet.

While still a protype, Walmink wants to open up discussion around the applications of the helmet's lighting and is encouraging ideas about possible uses. So far, the helmet has been programmed to display the wearer's heart rate as well as work as a signal based on slight movements.

Learn more at exertiongameslab.org

Via The Sydney Morning Herald

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June 18, 2012

Latest Comments

  • Motion-activated could be a problem

    One's helmet is certainly an additional point of display for necessary visibility elements. The resources used for this, though, seem like a bit of a waste when simply using a helmet-mounted light or a few reflective stickers can make use of the space.

    Without knowing exactly how much I move my head now on the bike I can still guess that this would end up being distracting for drivers and other riders/walkers. Trying to guess the meaning of the patterns would be similar to trying to read those moving-image signs that don't scroll quite as quickly as your reading rate--in other words, a major safety problem as people stop focusing on their movements through traffic and the people they're participating with in the traffic flow and start focusing on a specific point in order to decode it.

    I initially thought it might work as a turn signal device but I am constantly turning my head to check for drivers, other bikes, traffic, and the like. If every time I turn my head to the left or right I signal a turn I will be an absolute menace to navigation. So that wouldn't work unless you gave me a way to trigger it deliberately, rather than every time.

    There's entertainment value and I can see it being a hit for free-style and trick riders and maybe for skate/longboarders.

    At first I thought I'd come up with some great safety or style-oriented purpose but I guess it's lost on me.

    Posted by Barb Chamberlain June 18, 2012 18:16:27

  • LumaHelm

    Uh, this might be fun for parades even about health as he suggests BUT as a signalling device in traffic it is a horrible and selfish waste of time. See http://greenideafactory.blogspot.de/2010/09/dont-believe-hyper-illumination.html

    Posted by Todd Edelman June 18, 2012 15:20:45

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