Optic

Richard Price

October 7, 2016

1 Comment

Optic gives cyclists the visual information to make safer decisions on the road by integrating front and rear cameras with 360-degree proximity and collision detection. The visor doubles as a heads-up display where Optic live-streams the rear camera and highlights potential risks. This allows the user to focus on the road ahead with full awareness of their surroundings. The visor display can also show navigation and journey statistic interfaces, putting information directly in front of the cyclists without taking their eyes off the road.

Cycling as a sport, fitness activity and general mode of transport is constantly increasing in popularity with more people taking to the roads every year. Roads are becoming more congested especially in urban environments and this poses many potential dangers to cyclists. The ability to analyse and react to a situation when cycling can be a difficult task and relies on a cyclist being fully aware of their surroundings.

The act of wearing an obvious camera when cycling signals to other road users that they are being recorded which was the key driver for the aesthetic of the camera feature on the rear of the helmet. Highlighting this area to draw focus to the raised lens detail and the proximity sensor ensure that any approaching drivers know their actions are being recorded.

Cyclists are able to customise the heads-up display to monitor the information they need for their specific journey. The display options include; a live stream of the rear camera, a proximity dot-matrix or gauge to show the distance of approaching hazards, augmented reality route navigation and journey statistic interfaces.

Optic gives cyclist the peace of mind to make the right decisions on the road, with total awareness and a full understanding of personal progression.

Optic is the visionary approach to safe cycling.

The motivation for the project was to combat the 22,000 cyclist casualties in England every year. In providing information in a way that avoids distraction, riders become equipped to handle the more treacherous instances of urban cycling.

The design language aims to differentiate Optic from the streamlined, aggressive aesthetic of conventional helmets by offering cyclists a minimal approach that only draws attention to the interactive features. Optic integrates a retractable visor which once opened creates visual alignment with the cap and other details on the helmet to visually reinforce the functional aspects of the design.

A study of the leading head mounted optical displays and augmented reality interfaces outlined the scope and potential of the project. This was aligned with anthropometric data and cycling helmet safety regulations to define the design constraints and outline the optimal configuration of features.

The following programs were used throughout the development of Optic : SolidWorks, KeyShot, Adobe Suite - Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design, Premier, After Effects

DCA Design received the Red Dot ' Best of the Best' Concept Award for Optic in the mobility category. Optic was also featured on numerous design blogs and the positive feedback highlights the interest and potential market for this type of product.