Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

This patented device is the first head-up display for bicycle helmets

Albert Khoury
By
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.

Recommended Videos

The unit is housed in a waterproof case, and the LCD works in all weather conditions. A UV collector allows the display to adjust according to light conditions for greater readability.

Related

The Usee display is composed of two sections. Speed is displayed on the left, though this can be changed to suit your preferences. If you connect the Usee to both a heart rate monitor and a power meter (a device that measures the power output of the rider), the speed indicator on the left side is replaced by your heart rate, while performance is displayed on the right.

The Usee can also display travel time, current speed, cadence, distance, and gear. If you pair it with your smartphone, you can get navigation and lap times. Usee pairs with the Naviki navigation app via Bluetooth, so you don’t need to keep your expensive phone attached to the handlebars or anywhere else that puts it at the mercy of weather and accidents.

On certain ebikes, such as the Turbo Levo series from Specialized, the Usee shows the current support level and battery level of the ebike.

Weight is of utmost importance to performance cyclists, and the good news is that the USEE weighs just 19 grams, including the weight of the battery. And speaking of batteries, this one has a lifespan of 400 hours.

The Usee HUD was Gold Winner of the 2018 ISPO Awards in the Outdoor segment for the Tools and Equipment category.

The Usee smart device will initially be available for the ABUS GameChanger, Aventor, and Viantor race helmets, as these have a compatible mounting option.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Albert Khoury
Albert Khoury
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Al started his career at a downtown Manhattan publisher, and has since worked with digital and print publications. He's…
Nike patent hints at a head-up display to help golfers read putting greens
nike golf hud patent 4

Nike may have exited the golf equipment business, but that doesn't mean the company isn't still looking at ways that technology can help improve our games. A recent patent filing revealed a potential new product in the works that could bring allow players to track the location of their ball and more accurately read putting greens thanks to data that is projected onto a head-up display.

The diagrams that accompany the patent show a set of glasses and a high-tech golf ball that is equipped with "communications components." Presumably, the golf ball is paired with the glasses to help relay information to the golfer, including the velocity of the last shot, the ball's current location, and the distance to the pin. The system can also keep track of the golfer's current score, the number of fairways hit, the greens in regulation, and the average number of putts. All of that data is displayed on a small screen that is incorporated into the glasses.

Read more
The CoolHead helmet aims to keep cyclists comfy and protected in the heat
coolhead KB

Keeping a cool head is always a priority, but never more so than when cycling. Luckily, there's a new helmet to help you do just that, keeping you cool on the road (though you'll be responsible for what happens off of it). Meet the CoolHead cycling helmet, designed to reduce your body temperature in your most crucial body part -- your brain. But not only does this helmet ensure that you don't become overheated, it also promises top-notch head protection.
Even the most experienced cyclists are not immune to the effects of the sun and hot weather. Even if you're flying down the pavement at breakneck speeds, your arms and legs may enjoy the cooling effect of your self-created wind, but your head doesn't reap quite the same benefits. And in the summer months, your entire body can quickly feel overheated. Indeed, the CoolHead team notes, when the temperature begins to rise above 82 degrees Fahrenheit, the body begins experiencing cramps and exhaustion. And if your body temperature reaches 104 F, vulnerable nerve cells located in the brain may take a hit.

But this is where CoolHead comes in. The helmet's unique design requires just a "small amount" of cold water in order to reduce your body heat by up to 20 degrees. What's more, the helmet promises to keep your body at that more optimal temperature for hours on end, allowing you to enjoy your time outdoors.
“I’ve faced many race and training days alike when temperatures have reached dangerous highs, putting myself and other riders at risk,” stated Sergejs Zelinskis, founder of CoolHead. “After years of being driven inside to train or risking my health in high temperatures, I set out to develop a helmet that would solve this problem once and for all.”
The helmet relies upon a high-grade, extra thick PVA with evaporative technology, and its all white color claims to reduce heat absorption. The CoolHead also comes with an optical shield with a magnetic attachment, as well as wind tunnel aided design, cooling comfort padding, and a slimline buckle that can be removed or flipped inside the helmet when not in use. Moreover, the CoolHead boasts aerodynamic design for better airflow, and weighs in at just 10 ounces.

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