Advanced helmet design

A helmet is probably the single most important piece of kit for any biker. Most fall into one of three categories, full face, open face and off road. But as motorbike concepts appear with ever more radical designs and mechanicals what advances are being made to this vital piece of safety kit. Here's a few concept helmets being explored.

Seeing what's behind you on a motorbike has always been a problem. Not knowing where you are on the road in relation to other vehicles is a dangerous situation to be in, especially for an exposed motorbike rider. UK manufacturers Reevu have spent ten years and £2 million developing a helmet which has a built-in 180 degree unbreakable rearview mirror to help combat this problem. The periscope- like technology allows the rider to see the road behind, using a series of unbreakable mirrors. Reevu is also aware of the fact the helmet needs to be lightweight to reduce neck fatigue, and the rear view helmet weighs the same as any other similar sized helmet. The rear view helmet should be available by early 2006 priced at the mid-high end of the market. Sizes XS-XXL

With the release of the high spec cross-country BMW HP2 motorcycle, BMW also designed some advanced off-road gear. This carbon fiber, Kevlar and fibreglass off-road helmet is one of them. Its aerodynamic shape and X-box 'Halo' looks certainly make it stand out from the crowd. BMW may fit their Bluetooth and noise cancellation devices to the helmet which will allow it to work with mobile phones and later devices such as MP3 players and Bluetooth gadgets. The helmet is modular, and can be used with or without the visor or the screen depending on your needs. BMW's futuristic helmet may be available by early 2006

BMW, again, is developing an advanced noise reduction and Bluetooth enabled flip-up full face helmet. Constructed from state-of-the-art materials like kevlar, carbon fibre fibre glass this ultralight, aerodynamic and very quiet helmet has been wind-tunnel tested to minimise wind noise and as such records only 86dB(A) at 62 mph. Inside this advanced helmet is a wireless communication system, a Bluetooth module, two microphones, a digital signal processor which filters out interference and cancels wind noise, and two speakers. With all this technology strapped inside you can hear clearly even at very high speeds allowing conversations with a pillion, or communicate via wireless technology with anyone anywhere, or listen to music. The three button user-friendly control panel and communication system allows several hours of chat on a fully charge. Currently the system works with only Bluetooth enabled mobile phones, but later models will be compatible with all Blutooth gadgets. Although promising and an inevitable eventuality there is no date set for full scale production with models available to the public.

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