[ Kenny Sagawa, Webike News Chief Editor ]

Neo-futuristic Motorcycle Part

Korea’s leading company SAMSUNG has gathered attention upon its release of a prototype SMART WHINDSHIELD which displays various information onto the windshield of the motorcycle.

The ”SMART WINDSHIELD” is integrated with the windshield and will display various information by connecting it with smart phones on to the display. From the movie you can see that the information is not displayed directly onto the windshield but to a transparent dash board that has special display functions.

The motorcycle in the video is YAMAHA TRICITY. First it shows how to connect the windshield with Wi-Fi from Smart Phone. It will automatically answer to messages received when driving. And shows that the navigation system can be operated while it is being used.

They are continuing to develop the WINDSHIELD with functions to enhance versatility.

SAMSUNG SMART WINDSHIELD

Release date and retail price are not yet determined, however is expected to link with the ”C-ITS Cooperative Intelligent Transport System” for motorcycles developed by HONDA, YAMAHA, BMW and be used for displaying traffic information.

Today it’s common to connect smart phones with digital wireless headsets to enjoy music or conversations. Some high class import models are equipped with bluetooth and can display phone calls and SMS received via smartphones. You might be aware of the helmet that was recently released and gathered attention for its ability to reflect information on the shield.

To Reduce Risk of the Rider

No dramatically change has been made from the point of view that you can make conversations or collect information during rides. No great change has been made to technology. It’s just that the technology that SAMAUNG has developed is new in the fact that information can be projected on the integrated windshield.

Usually meters installed to motorcycles are not so big. So the rider usually requires a lot of eye movement. The more the eye movement the more the risk the rider will have to face. To solve this problem, some four wheel cars are equipped with head up displays that reflect information on the front window. The Samsung technology is similar to this.

Balance Between the Thinking Capacity and Action Capacity

Of course the Head Up Display has disadvantage as well. Which concerns the rider himself. A human being has a limit of capacity to think and act at the same time and once it is exceeded information process will slow down or will cause to make mistakes

Even if information is displayed on a large screen, and eye movement has decreased, it would be difficult to concentrate driving in a flood of information. That means that danger maybe lurking.

It is a great idea that the motorcycle is connected with the internet. It could offer endless benefits and possibilities. However verification of safety will be required. Ideas and technical break throughs will be required to dispel anxiety.