New Zealand start-up manufacturer REYEDR (pronounced rider) has announced the latest in augmented reality (AR) smart tech for the safety-conscious motorcycle enthusiast.

The REYEDR HUD is a heads-up display that retrofits to a motorcyclist’s helmet and shows speed, navigation, distance and more. It runs on the REYEDR smartphone App to provide the rider with key information about the bike, route and ride group. It also has the ability to alert emergency services in the event of an accident.

Using a retrofit approach, the HUD fits on the chinbar of any full-face motorcycle helmet and converts it into a smart device. A transparent screen sits just in the periphery of the motorcyclist’s vision, allowing riders to keep their eyes on the road while still maintaining awareness of key riding conditions.

REYEDR reduces distraction by providing information needed within the motorcyclist’s natural line of sight. There is no need to refocus to see the virtual image, so riders can keep eyes on the road at all times. The GUI (graphical user interface) is designed to be non-distracting and display the right amount of information — colours change to draw attention when needed.

For instance, navigation arrows and distance to the next turn-off change from green to orange to red when approaching the corner. Similarly, speed colours change from green to orange when approaching the speed limit and red when riding at the speed limit and over.

REYEDR showcased the HUD device at the 2017 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The system connects via Bluetooth 5.0 connection and a social-ready smartphone app (compatible with iOS and Android devices).

Motorcyclists can find interesting rides and connect with a larger community of bikers that share similar interests. Riders can save photos and/or a map of their route for a personal log, which they can share with others.