Video: Augmented reality helmet bids to improve cycle safety

Warwickshire-based design company, DCA, has developed an augmented reality helmet that provides cyclists with a 360° view of the road that it hopes will go some way to cutting the number of cycling injuries seen on the UK’s roads.

According to the Department of Transport’s figures, there were 18,845 cycling casualties in 2015, with 80% of those occurring on roads with a 30mph limit.

Of this number, there were 100 fatalities and 3,237 seriously injured. While the number of deaths was down 10% on 2010 to 2014’s average figure, the number of serious injuries to cyclists rose by 4% over the same period.

As more people are encouraged to get on their bike in an effort to cut traffic and emissions, not to mention improving their health, the need to improve cycle safety becomes more paramount.

DCA’s response to this is the DCA optic – an augmented reality cycling helmet.

The helmet features two cameras located at the front and back. The rear camera provide a full 180° view to eliminate a cyclist’s biggest blind, effectively a rear view mirror with the display coming from a live stream.

A 360° proximity and clash detection system is also incorporated within the helmet. This is done in a non-intrusive manner that alerts the wearer to potential risks while still allowing them to give their full concentration to the road ahead.

The drop down visor not only offers eye protection but also provides a heads-up display that offers the wearer a customisable display that can show the rear view, a proximity guide and a GPS navigation system.

Project Lead on the Optic helmet, Richard Price, told Live Science that he was inspired by his own experiences when cycling to work. He said: “There have been times when I’ve been cycling to work where there’s been some obstacle in the road or a junction and I’ve had to look over my shoulder while signalling.

“When you do that, often something suddenly appears in front of you and there’s been quite a few times where I’ve had to slam on my breaks.”

The rear camera is designed to be visible to other road users to encourage them to drive more safely, working under the assumption people are likely to drive in a safer fashion if they know they are being recorded.

The helmet allows information to be stored via flash memory and a BlueTooth card meaning footage can be recorded and any potential road incidents reviewed.

The helmet is still in the concept design phase but has received strong feedback from cyclists and firms who manufacture cycling wear. DCA are looking for investment to take the helmet from a concept to being available to consumers.

The Optic helmet was recently awarded the Red Dot “ Best of the Best” mobility concept award winner and DCA will hope that this recognition will help the product reach the consumer market.

The safety of cyclists on the busy roads continues to make headlines. Only Last month, Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced plans to introduce a rating system that will prohibit lorries with poor visibility from London roads by 2020.

Mr Khan said: “Our groundbreaking direct vision standard will be the first of its kind in the world, directly addressing the issue of lethal driver blindspots. I’m also proud that TfL will lead by example and will not use any zero-star lorries in its supply chain from the new financial year.”

Should it make to the mass production stage, the DCA Optic helmet will go some way to providing another layer of safety to the growing number of cyclists in the country.

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