Riding a bike can be dangerous, especially when you have to look at your phone to see the map or you miss a traffic sign because you were watching your odometer. The German company Canyon, known for its high-end bicycles, has unveiled a helmet prototype that promises to make life easier and safer for cyclists: it is called Stingr Smart and features a transparent display (HUD) that unfolds in front of the cyclist’s eye to show information without having to take their eyes off the road.
The helmet works connected to an artificial intelligence system called Canyon Predict, which analyses traffic and the behaviour of other vehicles to warn the cyclist of dangers before they see them. Is a car getting too close? Is there a dangerous curve ahead? The helmet shows it on the screen and also emits vibrations and audible alerts. It can also display speed, distance travelled, heart rate and even give turn-by-turn navigation instructions, like a GPS but without needing to look at your phone. Everything is controlled by voice or with touch buttons on the helmet itself.
The most interesting thing is that this helmet is not a laboratory experiment. Canyon will present it this week at the Eurobike trade fair in Frankfurt (24–27 June) and the company assures that the technology is ready to reach the market. Although they have not announced a price or an exact launch date, the Stingr Smart looks set to become a real product for cyclists who want to take safety to the next level. Proof that the helmets of the future not only protect your head: they also help you see what you cannot see.
— Marta, for intermitente intelligence.
