Comments on: Smart helmet points out the potholes

Ted Selker of MIT's Media Lab invents gadgets to make his life and the environment a bit smarter.
Photos: Bike helmet built for road hazards

[scottolbury]

Clarification, and a better idea

First off, Cheers to Selker for being "one less car." I have a theory that if everyone in America was forced to commute to work on a bicycle for just one week... this country would be a better place.

But, as I was reading this article this line stuck out:
"It's a black, shiny BMX helmet designed to block wind noise."

Now I'm not an expert, but I've been riding and racing bicyles for a long time and I'm fairly confident I can say that all bicycle helmets, especially BMX helmets, are not DESIGNED to block wind noise. Maybe Selker chose this helmet because its does cut down on wind noise compared to a regular bicycle helmet, but that's not what it was designed for.

Also, here's some food for thought. I used to live in Arlington and commute all the way to the Back Bay on my bicycle. The ride took about 25 minutes on a bad day. I usually passed MIT 10 or 15 minutes into the ride. I've since moved to Chicago and still commute to downtown on my trusty Moots.

Now I recognize the bigger idea Selker is working on here, but I find it sad when people can't go that long without talking on their cell phones or listening to their iPods. Here's a better idea... why not just pay attention to the road and ride your bike while enjoying the wind, speed, and freedom two self-propelled wheels brings you.

There's so much happening on Mass Ave (especially through Harvard Sq. and Central) that you absolutely must watch what you're doing. Frankly, I find bicyclist talking on their cells phones more annoying and dangerous than motorists. Why do you think you never see a city bike messenger riding around with iPod ear plugs in his/her ears?

[Below Meigh]

Bingo!

I agree with you, there is no need to be yacking while riding. The drivers and other obstacles do not look out for you. And you need to look out for pedestrians and everything else.
It is one thing to design something like the Bose noise-cancelling for wind, but another to allow distractions.
Hey, American Cancer Society! When you have your bike-a-thons, you should have everyone sign a disclaimer: no ipods, no cellphones used unless stopped.
If you can't ride a bike without (loud) tunes or yacking, you shouldn't be riding a bike. (yeah, if you listen in one ear, great, but you are not that important for a call)

[Mergatroid Mania]

Just what we need

Very cute.

However, after years of research on cell phone use while driving, it has been noted that people driving while using a cell phone have the same reaction time as someone who's drunk (hands free or not).

So, what happens? Smeone puts a cell phone in a bicycle helmit.

Brilliant.

Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should.

[makuk]

NOT very smart

The last thing you need cycling in urban conditions is distraction from music etc...also will be heavy and therefore tiring and also hot so will end up left in the bike shed

[kulbhushan_bhalerao]

Brilliant !!

Actually i am Helmet supportter and use helmet quite a lot. Besides these all features I have some creative additions.
1. U can install a small camera so that u can see the rear view of the vehicle. may be its a little good camera like night vision or light reduction kind of capacity and we can see the rear view in helmet glass. (Agree there is a rear mirror but it is useless once the vehicle throws bright light on it.)

2. we can cover helmet with a air tight material and use air purifier to inhale pure air, as in countries like India there is lots of pollution in cities.

3. Also it can be used to lock unlock ur bike via bluetooth. If u r near bike with helmet, it unlocks and when u go away from bike with helmet it automatically locks the ignition.

[Dorre1]

Bright idea

Research from countries that introduces bike helmet laws forcing millions of cyclists to wear helmets, leads to doubts about the ability of a relatively thin piece of polystyrene to protect against serious head injuries (see http://www.cyclehelmets.org/papers/c2022.pdf or http://www.cyclehelmets.org/mf.html?1171).

Perhaps the safest thing about a bike helmet is being bright coloured to increase the chance of being seen by motorists. This seems to be true for motorcycle helmets (http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/328/7444/857

This helmet is black!!!

A really smart helmet would also be available in bright colours.