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Lumos helmet with indicators gets fresh updates and is now available to buy in Apple stores

The Lumos helmet has 48 LED lights and was successfully crowdfunded in 2015. It now supports hand-activated turn signals when used with an Apple Watch, and becomes the first bike helmet to be sold in Apple Stores

The Lumos smart helmet with integrated LED indicators now has updated connected features, including hand-activated turn signals and full integration with Strava. They will also now be available to buy in numerous Apple Stores across Europe and the US.  

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​Used in conjunction with an Apple Watch you now simply need to raise either your left or right arm depending on which way you're turning in order for the turn indicators to be activated, which is thanks to smart gesture recognition algorithms within the Lumos Apple Watch app. Without the watch, a button device attached to the handlebars deploys the indicators; although Lumos say the new hand signalling technology offers riders "a seamless, safer experience." 

The Lumos Helmet phone app has now been updated so you can use it to sync ride data with Strava and Apple Health, via enhanced bluetooth connectivity. You needn't worry about forgetting to start your ride either, as there's also an automatic start function. 

lumos_in_apple_store_3_preview.jpeg

Lumos Helmet began life as a Kickstarter, and was successfully crowdfunded back in 2015. Since then it has won the prestigious Beazely Designs of the Year award for Transportation, before finding its way into 300 Apple Stores worldwide. The UK RRP is £175 (we've found one here on BikeInn for £141.95) and you can find out more by visiting the Lumos website.   

Jack has been writing about cycling and multisport for over a decade, arriving at road.cc via 220 Triathlon Magazine in 2017. He worked across all areas of the website including tech, news and video, and also contributed to eBikeTips before being named Editor of road.cc in 2021 (much to his surprise). Jack has been hooked on cycling since his student days, and currently has a Trek 1.2 for winter riding, a beloved Bickerton folding bike for getting around town and an extra beloved custom Ridley Helium SLX for fantasising about going fast in his stable. Jack has never won a bike race, but does have a master's degree in print journalism and two Guinness World Records for pogo sticking (it's a long story). 

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13 comments

Avatar
alansmurphy | 6 years ago
1 like

And in fairness Lork, if you are turning it makes sense to use your arms to indicate.

 

Having said that, would you need 2 watches because nobody knows the opposite turn signal!!!

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Leviathan | 6 years ago
1 like

Needs eyes for the smiley.

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LastBoyScout | 6 years ago
0 likes

No, no, no, no, no.

Integrating lights into a helmet is adding weight and complexity where you least need it.

On the basis that the lights should outlast the main function of the helmet by a fair margin, it's also adding pointless redundancy, as you can't move the lights to a new helmet.

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Hirsute | 6 years ago
0 likes

What problem is this trying to solve?

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CygnusX1 replied to Hirsute | 6 years ago
0 likes
hirsute wrote:

What problem is this trying to solve?

Excess cash in your pocket/bank account.

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john1967 | 6 years ago
0 likes

WTF.... I had diffuclty seeing him and i knew he was there. 

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joules1975 | 6 years ago
1 like

I'm sorry, they lost me at the bit where they felt they needed an attractive women to pull up and say 'nice helmet'. Wrong on a number of levels.

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nextSibling | 6 years ago
1 like

No rear light or reflector attached to the bike at night makes smug dude illegal in most US jurisdictions. And he's using the stupid left-hand-up-to-turn-right signal that only people who never cycle think is a good idea. Whoever made this video doesn't know their business.

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Crippledbiker replied to nextSibling | 6 years ago
1 like

I've got one of the original Kickstarter Lumos helmets. It's actually a pretty nifty product, though it is more to be seen than to see with. It was quite a bit cheaper then, though.

As a handcyclist, it's bloody perfect - I'm exactly in line with a driver's eyes, so the lights and indicators work well, and it means I don't have to take my hands off - and when you consider that I pedal with my hands, indicating from a stop is....difficult.

nextSibling wrote:

No rear light or reflector attached to the bike at night makes smug dude illegal in most US jurisdictions. And he's using the stupid left-hand-up-to-turn-right signal that only people who never cycle think is a good idea. Whoever made this video doesn't know their business.

It has a big triangle of red lights, and two reflectors on the rear strap.

a440 wrote:

..And you need to own an expensive APPLE (surprise!) product.

No, you don't. The helmet comes with a little cluster with two buttons on it, works perfectly fine.

lork wrote:

nice idea, except for the fact that for it to function as intended you need to take your hand from the handlebars. .

Again, not true, there's a little cluster that sits on your handlebars. You operate it with your thumbs if you use the version that puts a button on each side, or the thumbs of a single hand if you have only use the single sided mount. Comes with both.

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nigerian prince replied to Crippledbiker | 6 years ago
0 likes

Crippledbiker wrote:

I've got one of the original Kickstarter Lumos helmets. It's actually a pretty nifty product, though it is more to be seen than to see with. It was quite a bit cheaper then, though. As a handcyclist, it's bloody perfect - I'm exactly in line with a driver's eyes, so the lights and indicators work well, and it means I don't have to take my hands off - and when you consider that I pedal with my hands, indicating from a stop is....difficult.

nextSibling wrote:

No rear light or reflector attached to the bike at night makes smug dude illegal in most US jurisdictions. And he's using the stupid left-hand-up-to-turn-right signal that only people who never cycle think is a good idea. Whoever made this video doesn't know their business.

It has a big triangle of red lights, and two reflectors on the rear strap.

a440 wrote:

..And you need to own an expensive APPLE (surprise!) product.

No, you don't. The helmet comes with a little cluster with two buttons on it, works perfectly fine.

lork wrote:

nice idea, except for the fact that for it to function as intended you need to take your hand from the handlebars. .

Again, not true, there's a little cluster that sits on your handlebars. You operate it with your thumbs if you use the version that puts a button on each side, or the thumbs of a single hand if you have only use the single sided mount. Comes with both.

 

Thanks for that Crippledbiker. I rushed in a bit to quickly to condemn it. The cluster idea makes it much more functional. 

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Yorkshire wallet | 6 years ago
0 likes

The advert is painful. Sync with Stava? I wonder if anyone ever gets any PRs dressed in rolled up jeans and cord jackets?

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nigerian prince | 6 years ago
1 like

nice idea, except for the fact that for it to function as intended you need to take your hand from the handlebars. . 

 

Avatar
A440 replied to nigerian prince | 6 years ago
7 likes

lork wrote:

nice idea, except for the fact that for it to function as intended you need to take your hand from the handlebars. . 

 

...And you need to own an expensive APPLE (surprise!) product.

As if vehicles not knowing which way you want to turn is the most pressing problem... I think watching a few of the "close pass" videos here will show that drivers are the problem, not cyclists.

Seems to be be more expensive, battery-powered hipster junk that answers a question no-one asked.

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