Motorcycles

TomTom VIO for scooters puts sat nav directions right where you can see 'em

TomTom VIO for scooters puts sat nav directions right where you can see 'em
The TomTom VIO pairs with a smartphone and provides scooter owners with many of the features found on other TomTom devices
The TomTom VIO pairs with a smartphone and provides scooter owners with many of the features found on other TomTom devices
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The TomTom VIO on show at IFA 2016
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The TomTom VIO on show at IFA 2016
The TomTom VIO provides alternative routes in the event of traffic or accidents
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The TomTom VIO provides alternative routes in the event of traffic or accidents
The TomTom VIO on show at IFA 2016
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The TomTom VIO on show at IFA 2016
TomTom offers the VIO in six different colors so you can coordinate with the color of your scooter
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TomTom offers the VIO in six different colors so you can coordinate with the color of your scooter
The TomTom VIO mounts to the handlebar of your scooter
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The TomTom VIO mounts to the handlebar of your scooter
The TomTom VIO pairs with a smartphone and provides scooter owners with many of the features found on other TomTom devices
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The TomTom VIO pairs with a smartphone and provides scooter owners with many of the features found on other TomTom devices
TomTom VIO provides turn by turn directions visually and audibly
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TomTom VIO provides turn by turn directions visually and audibly
View gallery - 7 images

Riding a scooter and using the navigation system on your smartphone can be quite a juggling act, often requiring frequent stops to check directions while en-route. The newly announced TomTom VIO is designed to make things a little easier for scooterists, with a handlebar-mounted sat nav device designed with the two-wheeled vehicles in mind.

Offering some of the same features found on other TomTom devices, the VIO provides both visual and audible turn-by-turn navigation, the company's speed camera warning system, real-time traffic alerts with alternative routing and caller ID.

TomTom VIO provides turn by turn directions visually and audibly
TomTom VIO provides turn by turn directions visually and audibly

The weather-resistant TomTom VIO mounts to your scooter's handlebars, then connects to your smartphone and, if you own one, a helmet headset via Bluetooth. Find yourself near a speed camera or going too fast and the VIO changes color to give you a visible warning. Slow down and the VIO returns to its original color. TomTom says speed camera updates are sourced from reports shared by its community of five million road users.

It also provides traffic alerts and accident reports that can delay your trip and serves up alternative routes to help get you to your destination on time. Since scooters aren't typically designed to keep up with high speed motorway or highway traffic, the VIO also plans routes to help you avoid those situations.

The TomTom VIO provides alternative routes in the event of traffic or accidents
The TomTom VIO provides alternative routes in the event of traffic or accidents

Incoming phone calls are identified by displaying both the name and a photo of the caller on the VIO screen. You can listen and talk via your helmet's Bluetooth system.

TomTom VIO comes with a standard black, snap-on silicon cover, but six other colors are available, too. For those who really like consistency, the company has also made it possible to choose various on-screen map colors that can match the covers.

Scooter owners interested in the TomTom VIO can order it directly from the company's website, where it is priced at £150 (US $168).

Source: TomTom

View gallery - 7 images
3 comments
3 comments
Bob Flint
Who exactly rides a scooter and needs such detailed directions? Not the millions of Eurasians that seem to know where they are going, maybe the preppy air heads that need so much guidance that even with directions they get lost coming out of the bathroom at home...
GeoffSykes
This looks very easy to steal. All you'd need is a screwdriver. Regardless of software security, someone would definitely steal this just to sell it.
exodous
If this was e-paper and for cyclists it would be cool! I don't think the battery would last long even with e-paper though.