Samsung has made a “smart” motorcycle windshield that will display texts, emails, maps and tell you who is calling. Some may call it dumb!
While the above video calls it a “new concept in road safety”, surely it would be dangerous to have long texts and emails on a windscreen, distracting our eyes for several seconds.
However, there is nothing to stop this technology being introduced as it doesn’t violate any of the current Australian Design Rules.
It’s similar to the head-up display (HUD) units in many modern luxury cars that display information in front of the driver.
Car makers claim it is safer than having the driver look down at their instruments. That may be so in a car where the driver sits behind the windscreen.
However, most motorcycle windscreens sit below the line of the rider’s sight and this type of unit would create another distraction for the rider.
The Korean phone company has fitted the technology to the windscreen of a Yamaha Tricky 125 three-wheeled scooter where the windscreen sits fairly high.
Samsung “Smart Windshield”However, the HUD unit actually sits below that.
If a text flashes on the screen, you can pull over and reply or program the software to reply with “I’m riding”.
There is no word yet about whether the concept will become commercially available, but we can see that there may be an eager market.
Meanwhile, helmet companies such as Skully, bike manufacturers such as BMW and aftermarket companies like BikeHUD are making head-up display available in helmets.
Some say that is a distraction, but at least it is in the line of sight.
While there is the argument that you have the freedom of choice to ride with or without this sort of technology, making it available may make some riders/drivers more of a danger to other road users who just want to concentrate on the road and riding.