Motorcycles

Light-sensing LCD motorcycle helmet visor self-tints in an instant

Light-sensing LCD motorcycle helmet visor self-tints in an instant
Shetters self-tinting visors use "optically perfect" LCD tinting to change from clear to dark in 0.08 seconds
Shetters self-tinting visors use "optically perfect" LCD tinting to change from clear to dark in 0.08 seconds
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With a small light sensor and solar panel in the blacked-out bit of the visor, Shetters visors self-tint in an instant
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With a small light sensor and solar panel in the blacked-out bit of the visor, Shetters visors self-tint in an instant
Initially to be made available for selected Arai and Shoei lids if the Kickstarter is successful
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Initially to be made available for selected Arai and Shoei lids if the Kickstarter is successful
Shetters self-tinting visors use "optically perfect" LCD tinting to change from clear to dark in 0.08 seconds
3/3
Shetters self-tinting visors use "optically perfect" LCD tinting to change from clear to dark in 0.08 seconds
View gallery - 3 images

French company Shetters isn't satisfied with photochromic motorcycle visors that take a couple of minutes to go from clear to tinted, so it's striking out on a line of solar-powered, LCD-tinted visors that flick from clear to tinted in 0.08 seconds.

The Shetters visors, initially slated for select Arai and Shoei helmets, use a light sensor to figure out when you're likely to want to tint your visor, and automatically and near-instantly tints it using "optically perfect" LCD in a special insert. A small solar panel ensures you never need to bother charging anything.

Initially to be made available for selected Arai and Shoei lids if the Kickstarter is successful
Initially to be made available for selected Arai and Shoei lids if the Kickstarter is successful

While it is kind of cool to see the visor flipping from clear to dark, I suspect most folks will do their own flipping when they see the prices: €198 (~US$230) for the motorcycle helmet visors and €219 (~$US$250) for the same tech in a set of sporty looking Shetters sunnies.

Add to that the potential for a ride through patches of dappled shade through trees to end up causing an epilepsy-inducing disco experience. Still, nice to get a glimpse at what might be possible at a more reasonable price sometime in the future. In the meantime, if the Kickstarter campaign is a success and everything goes as planned, backers will start to receive their Shetters visors in September.

The visor is demonstrated in the video below.

Source: Shetters

SHETTERS optical technology - SEE FASTER (Canceled)

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2 comments
2 comments
sdtom59
What about using this technology for eyeglasses? I currently have glasses that tint but I still get blinded until they gradually tint. My idea is for a micro-switch that could be pressed before entering bright sunlight and pressed again when coming indoors. I don't know if current battery technology would support this but it's something to consider.
[You might want to check out the Ctrl One/Uvex Variotronic electrochromic sunglasses -Ed. https://newatlas.com/review-uvex-variotronic-cycling-glasses/39543/ ]
warren52nz
Just add a "peril sensor" to the switch and you'd have Zaphod Beeblebrox's famous "Peril Sensitive Sunglasses from Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. The ones that go opaque at the first sign of danger so you won't freak out. :-) Seriously though the rear view and side mirrors on my Lexus go tinted instantly when you shine headlights on them from behind and it's a 2007 model. Is this really new technology?