Lumos Is A Bike Helmet With Integrated Indicator Lights

We’ve seen bike helmets with integrated front and back lights before. But Boston-based hardware startup Lumos is hoping to go one better by packing a front light, wireless indicator lights and an accelerometer-powered backlight into an otherwise pretty standard-looking cycle helmet. Rechargeable battery included.

The team has just pressed play on a Kickstarter campaign, aiming to raise $125,000 in crowdfunding to turn their current prototype into a shipping product starting from April next year. Thus far they’ve been mostly been bootstrapping development, raising a small round at the end of last year from friends, family and a few angels.

“There are currently no bike helmets in the market that feature integrated brake and turn signal lights. Lumos will be the first to do this,” says co-founder Eu-wen Ding, when asked what’s new here. “This is a huge distinctive feature that will help cyclists more effectively communicate their intentions to people around them.”

He also points to Lumos’ 85 super bright LEDs as a differentiator — claiming the lights are brighter than rival helmets.

Lumos’ triangular rear light uses an integrated accelerometer to switch from flashing to a solid red signal when the rider brakes and slows down.

While the helmet’s left and right signal light indicators are triggered via a wireless remote that attaches to the bike’s handlebars. When wanting to indicate a turn the rider pushes either the left or right button, hearing a beeping sound to confirm the signal has activated.

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