Skip to main content

Head-up displays for smart helmets may have just gotten more affordable

Silicon Valley startup DigiLens says that it has taken a significant step forward in the production of its augmented reality (AR) display technology that could have a dramatic impact on future consumer products, including smart helmets. The company says that it has developed a new process for manufacturing its waveguide displays that will make them lighter and more affordable, paving the way for AR to eventually become more mainstream.

DigiLens’ MonoHUD display has been used in smart motorcycle and bike helmets for some time, providing riders with important data and metrics at a glance. The transparent screen can be attached to compatible helmets and doesn’t impede the user’s vision in any way. Instead, the device projects a head-up display in front of the rider with information like current speed, navigational cues, traffic alerts, and more. The MonoHUD is also being tested in augmented reality glasses for use in a variety of other activities, too, ranging from outdoor sports to multiplayer gaming to use in industrial settings.

The current MonoHUD display uses a three-layer system to create the images that it projects in front of the users, but DigiLens says that it has now perfected a two-layer model that offers the same level of performance, yet it is far less expensive to produce. That creates more opportunities for its partner companies, like Sena, which is already planning on rolling out the new MonoHUD version to its smart helmets. In theory, those helmets should become more affordable for consumers to adopt, too.

The DigiLens MonoHUD

In a press release announcing the new MonoHUD display, DigiLens CEO Chris Pickett said, “The increased quality of the two-layer display and the reduction in manufacturing complexity is crucial for our customers.” He went on to add, “It lowers the production costs and allows them to get product to market quicker. We are already seeing several innovative use cases like motorcycle HUDs and are seeking developers to show us what’s next.”

The new MonoHUD also uses an inkjet coating process that will significantly improve contrast, making it possible for riders to have an unobstructed view of the road while also bright, crisp, and clear graphics are projected onto the screen in front of them. The display itself offers a 105-degree field-of-view, a 25-degree diagonal AR display field-of-view, and a maximum brightness of 8,000 nits. It also reportedly has a battery life of up to 8 hours between recharges.

The new version of the MonoHUD will be unveiled to industry partners at an event being held in Los Angeles later this week. DigiLens hopes that those partners will add the new display to their devices in the near future.

Editors' Recommendations

Kraig Becker
Kraig Becker is a freelance outdoor writer who loves to hike, camp, mountain bike, trail run, paddle, or just about any other…
This patented device is the first head-up display for bicycle helmets
USEE head-up display

Head-up displays are becoming increasingly common in cars and motorcycle helmets from the factory, and are also being offered by third-party manufacturers. These devices give the user easy access to information including navigation, speed, weather, road hazards, and more. In many cases. the HUD can be paired with your smartphone, so you can make calls, listen to music, and access other features from your phone. The O-Synce Usee takes this concept and applies it to bicycle helmets, so cyclists can enjoy the benefits of the technology.

Developed and patented by Momes GmbH, the Usee is described as the first device of its kind. The goal is to keep cyclists' eyes on the road and hands on the handlebars, while letting them monitor their performance and location via navigation.

Read more
Car head-up display maker Navdy says units may stop functioning
Navdy

Remember Navdy, the company that makes head-up displays for your car that connected to your phone? Well, it looks like the company's done. Navdy has sent an email out to customers stating that it's no longer conducting business and is liquidating its assets.

Perhaps more important that the company's issues is the fact that existing customers may soon find that their units will stop working. That's  bad news for customers that spent $500 on a device that is essentially now a paperweight.

Read more
Navdy partnering with Harman to sell its heads-up display at retail worldwide
Navdy

Navdy, the transparent heads-up display for cars, has been more than four years in the making, and began shipping to backers of its crowdfunding campaign in September. Buying options for new customers were a bit limited, though -- Navdy units were available exclusively through the startup's website.

But that won't be the case for much longer. On Tuesday, Navdy announced a partnership with audio megalith Harman that will see Navdy units made available through that firm's automotive partners.

Read more