Bicycles

ticc turn indicator is triggered by tilts of a cyclist's head

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ticc (pictured here on an unusual folding helmet) is presently on Kickstarter
ticc
ticc mounts onto helmets via a neodymium magnet
ticc
The planned final version of ticc will be slimmer and sleeker
ticc
ticc (pictured here on an unusual folding helmet) is presently on Kickstarter
ticc
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While there are now a multitude of bicycle LED turn indicators on the market, most of them require riders to press buttons on a handlebar unit. Intended to make things simpler and safer, the ticc device is instead activated via head-tilts.

Developed by a group of Barcelona-based entrepreneurs, ticc is a waterproof disc-shaped gadget with a ring of RGB LEDs around its perimeter. It quickly pops on and off the back of a third-party helmet using a neodymium magnetic mount.

In ticc's default mode, all of its LEDs glow red like those of a standard tail light. When the user purposefully tilts their head to one side or the other, though, the LEDs on that side of the device start sequentially flashing green, indicating the direction of an upcoming turn.

The planned final version of ticc will be slimmer and sleeker
ticc

In order to let the rider know that it's indeed been activated, ticc also beeps as it flashes – it beeps in a different tone for each side. The beeping and flashing continue until cancelled by a head-tilt to the opposite side. There's additionally a brake light mode, in which all the LEDs brightly flash red when activated by a forward tilt of the head.

The device puts out 60 lumens, has a viewing angle of 180 degrees, and is charged via a USB cable. While charging, its battery level is indicated by the number of LEDs that are illuminated.

Should you be interested, ticc is currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign. Assuming it reaches production, a pledge of €49 (about US$58) will get you one. The planned retail price is €99 ($117). Hopefully it will do better than Bigo – it was another head-tilt-activated LED turn indicator, but it didn't reach its Kickstarter goal.

You can see ticc in use, in the following video.

Sources: Kickstarter, ticc

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3 comments
David V
While I salute the aim of this, I am immediately confused by the colours chosen for the indicators - GREEN ?
No other motor vehicle uses green as a "turn" signal. Green is "GO". Always. It's "ORANGE" world wide or sometimes red. Never green. I'm also worried that the nice friendly "circle" shape just doesn't look like an arrow or an intention to turn. NOTHING can replace a simple arm out signal. You can wave, point, wiggle your hand and with a reflective backed glove you will be far more visible in the dark than this.
Why don't they use their movement detection system to put an flashing arrow on the back of a glove. That would interest me more. Not backing this one. It hasn't been thought out.
Mayakovski
Using green to denote a turn makes no sense at all. Very stupid mistake. Also using a head tilt to control the lights will provide a lot of false activations. Every time you tilt you head to see something, or hit a bump etc. I think using this will cause at least as many problems as not using it. No thanks.
Eric Blenheim
I can foresee a huge number of accidents resulting from unintended activations, surely one of the worst ideas ever.