Motorcyclists are sometimes limited in how far they can twist their head to look behind them. Yet, some drivers habitually change lanes without checking their blind spots for other vehicles. It's a good idea to adjust your position relative to other traffic to stay out of other drivers' blind spots whenever you can. I normally look over my right shoulder when I change lanes to the right. I was taught this years ago when I started to drive and I still do it to this day. I use my mirrors and look over my shoulder. It's easier for me to see any fast moving motorcycles or cars zipping in between the lanes. Also, I can spot anyone who is running parallel to me who is planning to merge into the same spot I want. Additionally, my mirrors can be realigned if someone accidentally bumps into them or when I'm cleaning them off.
If you are unsure what blind spots are, then here it is:
Blind spots, in the context of driving an automobile, are the areas of the road that cannot be seen while looking forward or through either the rear-view or side mirrors. Blind spots can be eliminated by overlapping side and rear-view mirrors, or checked by turning one's head briefly, or by adding another mirror with a larger field of view. Detection of vehicles or other objects in blind spots may also be aided by systems such as video cameras or distance sensors, though these are not common in automobiles sold to the general public.
The blue car's driver sees the green car through his mirrors, but cannot see the red car without turning to check his blind spot.
Blind spots can be eliminated by adjusting one's review-view or side mirrors effectively. But this will not eliminate the blind spots completely. So Gary Oldham and his company Adorg Safety Technologies Inc. believes to have developed a solution to the challenge motorcyclists face gauging blind spots behind them as they try to keep their eyes on the road ahead. Its called the SAM-HCS, for Side Angle Motorcycle Helmet Camera System.
It's a system in which two tiny color video cameras are mounted inside to the back sides of your helmet, pointing to the blind spots of the motorcycle and the live full color video is sent to the full color monitors inside the front of the helmet, in the upper corners of your viewing area so the rider can see the blind spot on each side. The rider can see slow moving traffic as well as fast moving traffic on each side of him where the mirrors cannot see. The monitors can be detached from the helmet and can be used wirelessly, for example, you can place them on the handlebars or the windshield of your motorcycle to show you the same view, you never have to take your eyes off the road and traffic in front of you to see if someone is positioned where your mirrors can’t see. The helmet never needs to be plugged into the bike or into electricity; it is fully self-contained and has a solar panel to charge the battery pack, no cabels needed.
The product is designed to fit inside your helmet and the system works in full face, half helmets, dirt bike helmets, probably almost any kind of helmet.
The only issue that I see is that the view is directly affected by the angle of your helmet, although in a normal riding position and with wide angel lens that may not be an issue at all.
Price of the system is said to be around $299 plus $25 shipping and handling. You can pre-order the item by going to the contact us page of the Adorg Safety Technologies Inc. website and they will send you a helmet box. You need put your helmet into it and send it back to them and they will install the system into your helmet and test the system and then send it back to you, all in a short turnaround time of three weeks, at present.
The product is Patented in the US Patent office and PCT and will be manufactured and ready for sale by the end of 2008.
Link: Adorg Safety Technologies Inc. and The Kneeslider
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