Helmet technology brand Livall has widened its range of smart cycling helmets with the new Evo21 that has built-in indicators, 270 degree rear lighting, an SOS alert system and 30% more venting areas than before.
This isn't the first cycling accessory with indicators built in and won't be the last; and, as detailed by our own John Stevenson in this opinion piece from 2017, it's a product category that has tended to divide and hasn't always been successful. Livall, though, is now pretty well established and says it's new helmet tech is a cut above the rest:
“Built for the commuter and cycling enthusiast, the Evo21 presents an innovative design which incorporates the very best next-generation technology into a stylish smart helmet that leads the way in road visibility”, says Livall.
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Indicative lighting at the front and the back of the helmet is said to alert surrounding traffic of the cyclist’s intentions.
Livall explains: “The Evo21’s turn signals operate the same way a car or motorcycle does, with super bright LEDs that signal your turn to drivers at the press of a button.
“A remote on your handlebar communicates wirelessly with the Evo’s smart LEDs.”
Livall’s patented SOS feature is also included. “The three-axis G-sensor integrated into the helmet will sense an increased acceleration or deceleration followed by a lack of movement and trigger an emergency SOS alert which will be sent to your emergency contacts via SMS (set up in the app) automatically,” says Livall.
The Evo21 has an integrated 270 degree rear light and a wide-angle front light, with a 45 degree reach, to increase visibility if you lower your head while riding to, for example, look at your navigation device.
The LED lights feature auto-brightness adjustment for increased battery life —a total of 10 hours is promised.
IPX5 waterproof, Livall says, “the Evo21 can not only deal with moderate rain with ease, but can also survive heavy rain”.
The Evo21 also comes with a sunglasses holder, an SOS handlebar remote and a smart on/off design.
Even with all these features built in, the helmet still comes in at a reasonable weight of 350g (claimed).
Available now for pre-ordering for October 2021, the Evo21 costs £99.99 and there's four colourways: mint, purple, black and white.
From the 14 June (Monday) to 21 June (Monday), Livall will also be hosting a summer sale (up to 20% off all products) on www.livall.co.uk.
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5 comments
Front light is illegal on its own.
With a 45 degree reach isn't the light going to be too high for most cyclists, missing the ground and dazzling oncoming traffic?
Once upon a time, in another thread far, far away...actually, it was only a couple of weeks ago when I recounted yet again how a stationary cyclist (me) wearing a very bright helmet mounted flasher accompanied by a bright bar mounted Cateye was waiting to leave Sainsbury's when he was hit by a Freelander cutting the corner and on the wrong side of the road. Somebody then excused the driver because he claimed I was still not visible because there are other lights around. They will always claim 'I didn't see you', with some support from Judge Death who (I read on here yesterday) excused a driver who killed a cyclist in good daylight visibility: he didn't see the cyclist because he wasn't looking for a cyclist.
I don't think I've ever seen a design for indicators on a bike that will work. How can an indicator on the left half of a helmet be seen and interpreted as an intention to turn left, when one on the right half is in such close proximity? Surely it will just look like a flashing light, especially at night?
I can see the benefit of some kind of red strip light across the back of a helmet, preferably with a flash mode(s).
As for the sos function, well I hope it's better than my Garmin which has that feature switched off as it just kept calling my emergency contact over every pothole! And that is the problem, deciding on what threshold of movement is needed to trigger it - too little and it goes off constantly and is eventually turned off.
'Smart connection entertainment on the go'? Hmmn, I think I can do without that, especially in a product that is meant to be designed to enhance user safety.
Especially with head movement a factor - eg when turning to look over the right shoulder, will the right indicator appear as left?
If some drivers can't cope with normal hand signals and obeying 163, wtf use is an ambiguous flashing light, except to provide another smidsy,/sun in my eyes type excuse?
Quite
And if you are wearing one you'll be criticised for non standardised confusing lights