Smart helmets, whether they're coming from Quin or Cardo, seem to be an unavoidable future. But whereas Quin's smart pod could literally save your life in the event of a crash, and you'd never even know you were wearing a smart helmet other than when the paramedics show up without you needing to call, on the other end of the spectrum are helmets that have technology that comes between you and the road. Enter TVS' latest heads-up display (HUD) helmet.
Some of you might not be familiar with TVS Motor, but you should be because it's the third-largest two-wheeled manufacturer in India and fourth-largest in the world. And although you won't see any TVS-branded motorcycles in the USA, the brand acquired Norton back in 2020 and is responsible for its resurgence. Even if you do know TVS, there's a good chance you didn't know it makes helmets, and now it's about to produce one that's loaded with technology.
This lid will basically function as your smartphone, and TVS has worked with Switzerland-based Aegis Rider and uses Qualcomm technology to make sure of it. This project has been in the works for five years, and when you understand how much information it provides, you'll see why it took so long.
The HUD will show most of the bike's crucial information, like speed, RPM, fuel level, gear position, and everything else you could find on your phone, like maps, turn-by-turn navigation, calls, and messages. Of course, there are speakers, you can play music, and there's a built-in communication system too. There's also an integrated action camera—I don't want to think about how much this thing will weigh.
Unfortunately, TVS says the unit will only have a 4-hour battery life, which isn't great in my books. It's possible the company needed to make the battery small to keep weight down. Now, I hear all you nay-sayers who think we don't need any more noise in our helmets while we're trying to ride, and I agree with you, but we're not the target audience.
It's common to ride one-handed in India. Riders will often put their smartphone in their left hand or clutch it between their shoulder and ear to talk while driving. For these folks, this helmet could be a game changer, even a lifesaver. The lid is highly unlikely to make its way into my everyday riding gear. I'm not even sure if an augmented reality helmet is safe, but I want to hear if you'd give it a go.
