In this episode, an augmented reality concept helmet from the people who bring you sheer driving pleasure. Welcome to your Manufacturing Minute.
At CES this year, BMW’s motorcycle group and tech company DigiLens showed off a next-generation concept helmet with a built-in heads-up display or HUD.
Essentially the helmet has a “Google Glass”-like augmented reality headset built into it that shows useful information like speed and fuel, plus more advanced features like road sign recognition and vehicle-to-vehicle integration to warn of upcoming dangers on the road. The helmet’s functions are actuated with controls on the motorcycle’s left handlebar.
The helmet also has a forward-facing action cam that can record your ride, GoPro-style, and a rear-facing camera that can be used as a virtual rear-view mirror in the heads-up display.
While it’s still a concept, BMW expects to make the helmet for real and available for sale in 2017.