Connected Helmet

The number of serious cycling accidents is on the rise as more and more commuters opt to bike to work. In a collaborative effort to make roadways safer, Volvo, POC and Ericsson have teamed up to develop the world’s first bicycle helmet that will connect automatically with nearby vehicles to avoid accidents.

In an industry first, Volvo recently introduced their City Safety system, which is capable of not only detecting and warning drivers of the proximity of a cyclist, but also auto-braking to avoid collisions. This paved the way for the innovative new helmet that shares a cyclist’s position through the Volvo cloud using a smartphone app. Even if they’re in a blind spot, around a bend, behind another vehicle, or otherwise not visible, the driver is alerted through a display, while a helmet-mounted light warns the cyclist of an imminent collision.

The new helmet was recently demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and is another example of how connectivity-driven technology can enhance our lives.