Skip to main content

Wireless motorcycle helmet has smart brake light that shines at motorist eye level

You motorcyclists out there know that an astounding number of motorists just don’t see you. In the interest of self-preservation, it’s up to individual bikers to do the best they can to be seen. Brake Free‘s wireless helmet smart brake light, currently running an Indiegogo campaign, should at least improve your odds with its always-on red LED at most motorists’ eye level.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Brake Free light mounts on the back of your own helmet, held in place by a pair of removable neodymium super magnetic snap mounts. There are no wires to get tangled and nothing to connect to your bike’s electronics. The LED lighting is composed of 100 individual high efficiency, ultra-bright red LEDs with a 120-degree viewing angle.

Recommended Videos

A 2600 mAh high capacity rechargeable Lithium-ion battery powers the helmet light for 8-plus hours per charge. Recharging with a USB connection takes two hours via an included a Micro USB cable.

The company calls the helmet light “smart” because it doesn’t require a connected app or a sensor on your brakes.  The light is always on to improve your chances of motorists noticing you even when you’re moving along. Onboard 3D accelerometer and 3D gyrometer sensors detect when you are slowing down, whether you are using the brakes, downshifting, or engine braking. As soon as it detects a reduction in speed, the LED brightens up brighter, just like car brake lights.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Brake Free helmet light’s Indiegogo campaign started March 27, 2017, and has already raised 58 percent of its $50K goal, with a month still to go. As of this writing, the 150 $89 Super Early Bird Special pricing units have all been claimed, but there are still several attractive prices, including $99 EarlyBird, a two-pack for $198, and more. Delivery is estimated in April 2018.

Unless the rear end of your bike is lit up like a Christmas tree or an airport landing strip, many motorists don’t see you. A bright red LED at their eye level that gets even brighter every time you slow down could make the difference between getting to your destination or winding up on in the hospital or worse.

Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown Contributing Editor   As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…
Toyota unveils 2026 bZ: A smarter, longer-range electric SUV
toyota bz improved bz4x 2026 0007 1500x1125

Toyota is back in the electric SUV game with the 2026 bZ, a major refresh of its bZ4X that finally delivers on two of the biggest demands from EV drivers: more range and faster charging.
The headline news is the improved driving range. Toyota now estimates up to 314 miles on a single charge for the front-wheel-drive model with the larger 74.7-kWh battery—about 60 miles more than the outgoing bZ4X. All-wheel-drive variants also get a boost, with up to 288 miles of range depending on trim.
Charging speeds haven’t increased in terms of raw kilowatts (still capped at 150 kW for DC fast charging), but Toyota has significantly improved how long peak speeds are sustained. With preconditioning enabled—especially helpful in colder weather—the new bZ can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Also new: Plug and Charge support for automatic payment at compatible stations and full adoption of the North American Charging Standard (NACS), meaning access to Tesla Superchargers will be standard by 2026.
Under the hood, or rather the floor, Toyota has swapped in higher-performance silicon carbide components to improve efficiency and power delivery. The AWD version now produces up to 338 horsepower and sprints from 0–60 mph in a brisk 4.9 seconds.
Toyota didn’t stop at just the powertrain. The exterior has been cleaned up, with body-colored wheel arches replacing the black cladding, and a sleeker front fascia. Inside, a larger 14-inch touchscreen now houses climate controls, giving the dash a more refined and less cluttered appearance. There’s also more usable storage thanks to a redesigned center console.
With the 2026 bZ, Toyota seems to be responding directly to critiques of the bZ4X. It’s faster, more efficient, and more driver-friendly—finally bringing Toyota’s EV efforts up to speed.

Read more
Cheaper EVs ahead? GM and LG say new battery cells are the key
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV front quarter view.

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have announced a new phase in their ongoing partnership: developing a new battery cell chemistry that could significantly lower the cost of electric vehicles. The joint effort centers on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cells, a variation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) that’s gaining popularity for being more affordable and less reliant on expensive materials like nickel and cobalt.

This is a big deal because battery costs are still the single largest expense in producing EVs. According to GM and industry experts, LMFP cells could help bring the cost of electric vehicles close to — or even on par with — gas-powered cars. The goal? Making EVs accessible to a broader range of drivers without sacrificing range or performance.

Read more
Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis following collisions with road barriers
Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

But the development of the technology is ongoing, and the robotaxi rides continue to gather valuable data for Waymo engineers to pore over as they further refine the driverless system to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. Which is why glitches will sometimes occur.

Read more