Blink and you might miss it: hard-to-see turn signals built into a bike helmet
The Blink Helmet may have won a prize at the 2010 Seoul Cycle Design Competition, but it still doesn’t impress me. At first, the helmet seems like a great idea: It integrates flashing turn signals into its sides, and has red and white lamps rear and front for safer nighttime riding.
But then we find out how it works. To signal, you reach up and touch the lamp, whereupon it starts to flash. Then, once you have completed your turn, you need to reach up again to switch it off. This, remember, takes the place of a traditional hand-signal which only requires you to remove your hand from the bar once.
And those side-mounted lights don’t look too visible from the front or the rear, which is where the people who need to see them will be.
I can’t help but think that the kind of person who would buy and use this lid is the same kind of person that already makes clear hand signals whilst in traffic. And if you say that hand signals are hard to see at night, then you should just go buy some reflective cuffs for your arms.
But never mind. The Blink concept still hasn’t moved beyond the stage of CG mockup, so there’s little danger of it making it into stores anytime soon.
Blink project page [Seoul Cycle Design Competition via Gajitz]
See Also:
- Cyclists' Backpack Shows LED Turn Signals
- Sprocket Pocket: iPad Turn-Signal for Cyclists
- Indicator Bike-Lights Will Probably Be Ignored
- Cycle Law: Should Bikes Be Treated Like Cars?
Post a Comment