Bicycles

Blinxi adds LED turn indicators to existing bike helmets

Blinxi adds LED turn indicators to existing bike helmets
Blinxi is presently on Kickstarter
Blinxi is presently on Kickstarter
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The Blinxi handlebar remote (beside the bell)
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The Blinxi handlebar remote (beside the bell)
The Blinxi light is powered up simply be pressing it in the middle
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The Blinxi light is powered up simply be pressing it in the middle
Blinxi is presently on Kickstarter
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Blinxi is presently on Kickstarter
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There are now numerous "smart" bike helmets available, most of which incorporate remotely operated LED turn indicators. Well, if that's the feature you really want, Blinxi lets you add it to your existing "dumb" helmet.

Created by Paris-based company Overade (which previously brought us a rather clever folding helmet), the Blinxi system consists of two main parts: the actual LED light strip, and a radio remote control module.

Users start by permanently adhering an included magnetic mounting plate to the back of their helmet. The light can then be popped on and off of that plate as needed, such as when battery charging is requiring. The remote is mounted on the handlebar using an included rubber O ring. All of the components are claimed to be weatherproof.

Utilizing Blinxi is simply a matter of powering the light up, then pressing either of the two buttons on the remote – doing so will cause an LED on the corresponding side of the light to blink. If users wish, they can set the light to beep along with the blinking, so they have an audible reminder to turn the signal off once the turn has been made.

The Blinxi handlebar remote (beside the bell)
The Blinxi handlebar remote (beside the bell)

The light unit also serves as a tail light, with four amber LEDs in the middle that can be set to flash, stay on steadily, or be shut off when not needed. Whichever mode is selected, the turn indicator function will still work.

One USB charge of the light's lithium battery should reportedly be good for about 10 hours of use, in flashing mode. The remote is powered by a separate replaceable CR2032 coin-type battery.

Should you be interested, Blinxi is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. A pledge of €55 (about US$62) will get you a setup, when and if they reach production. The planned retail price is $79.

Source: Kickstarter

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2 comments
2 comments
anthony88
No thanks. Would rather keep drivers around me more alert by having them not have any idea where I'm going.
John Schubert
We see many turn signals for bicycles. What we don't see is any testing for driver comprehension. From a few car lengths back, it looks like a flashing light. Period. The arrow shape won't be visible. You won't notice that it's on the left or the right side.
Next time you're near a motorcycle, measure how far apart the turn signals are. Every bicycle turn signal set I've ever seen is far narrower than on a motorcycle.
My comments here don't prove that these don't work, but, speaking as a crash reconstructionist who studies human factors in crashes, I am very deeply skeptical.
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Responding to anthony88: Visible plus predictable equals safe. If you try to confuse people, you might not like the results.