[Rehaan]

Came across this via Facebook today :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCop3X5irCo

Highlights:

• What's the best way to make people always wear their helmets? Make the helmet also function as the bike key.
• Wear the helmet = bike turns on.
• Take off the helmet = bike turns off.
• The helmet device is powered by a rechargeable battery which can be charged either with a 5V charger or solar panels.
• NOTE: I don't know if this is an actual project / kickstarter type pitch / or just a fun social media experiment by Castrol etc.

Concerns:

• Cost. Is it a truly mass-market solution?
• Security. Is the transmitted RF signal encrypted somehow? Is the modification to the bike going to make it easier for hot-wiring/theft?
• Structural safety. What is the base helmet? Is it DOT certified? Also, surely the helmets haven't been re-tested after the electronics have been added.
• Safety. LiPo batteries don't like to be heated (hot sun) and punctured (in a collision). These could lead to fire, which is something you probably don't want in your helmet.

Improvements:

• We've seen lots of people wearing their helmets, but leaving them UN-BUCKLED. In an impact, this is almost as bad as not wearing a helmet, as it will fly off. Why not make fastening the buckle the "turn on" switch. This will maximize rider safety and good behaviour, whilst saving costs too (no need for a capacitive switch inside the helmet).

Longer video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvISHezDqrU

Tech Specs:

• Microcontroller: TI MSP430G2553
• RF Communication: Anaren A2500R24A 2.4 GHz ISM band RF module
• Relays: 24V DC / 1A relays
• Power: 3.7V / 150 mAH Li-Polymer rechargeable battery
• On-board charger with MCP73871 Li-Poly charge controller
• Can be charged with 5V regulated input to charger circuit
• 4700 uF super capacitor to harvest energy from 5-V Solar Panels
• Capacitive proximity sensing with 3 strategically placed copper electrodes.
• Capacitive sensing functionality provided by PINOSC module with MSP430

Website:

• http://thegoodroad.in

cya
R

[aargee]

Not to sound negative, but the fact in India is that, owners will spend Rs 500 to disable such a feature in the motorcycle (Dealers themselves will make money through back door) rather than buying even a Rs 100 helmet

If it works, excellent...proud India to have such unique features to enforce law

[Rehaan]

Originally Posted by aargee

..the fact in India is that, owners will spend Rs 500 to disable such a feature in the motorcycle (Dealers themselves will make money through back door)...

Haha. That's true.

There's no doubt a lot of shortcomings of the idea - that's why i think it is more of a social media experiment / small-scale trial.

Another great take-away from this could be cars that simply don't start unless the driver's seat-belt is buckled. (Sure, there's work arounds there - but some might prefer this kind of a 'reminder', rather than incessant beeping).

cya
R

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by aargee

Not to sound negative, but the fact in India is that, owners will spend Rs 500 to disable such a feature in the motorcycle (Dealers themselves will make money through back door) rather than buying even a Rs 100 helmet

+ 1.

Have personally seen luxury car owners buy duplicate seat belt buckles just to insert only the buckle and avoid the alarm going off! Have argued with many friends who dont wear helmets because its 'bad for the hair'.

[ad3952n]

I agree with aargee. Rehaan, You know that in our country whenever there is a new and positive thing to be implemented for the safety of drivers and riders, then, immediately an alternative is designed by the people to overcome that even at the cost of their lives.

Eg: As a rule mobile usage is banned while driving but the alternative to that is bluetooth device or the earphones. They are ready to pay the fine but they wont give up this habit.

Similarly, This seems to be a very nice idea but it's success seems to be far fetched considering the sensibilities and "pro-active" minds of our Indian drivers. People can never understand the importance of a good technology here.

Thanks

AD

[ArizonaJim]

It sounds like another thing that can, and will break.

If anything goes wrong with it, including the battery going dead, the motorcycle will die "for no apparent reason" and there you'll stay, sitting alongside the road unable to start or ride it.

[adrian]

Good initiative.. but, No thank you.. I am good ! I don't wan't an electronic gimmick in my helmet to teach me the responsibility of being a biker. I wear my riding gear before starting my motorcycle.

This can be used in the case of non responsible (for the safety of their own cranium) bikers as a law enforcement. But then it can also be enforced after coating the inside lining of the helmet with superglue and making him to wear it. (Permanent solution)


regards adrian