ESUB Tracks Is the Smart, Self-Sufficient Bicycle Helmet of the Future

When biking for transportation or exercise, a helmet is an essential piece of safety gear, which normally just sits there until (hopefully not) needed. However, the ESUB Tracks design concept from WertelOberfell levels up the traditional headpiece in a variety of ways, with electronic features powered by integrated solar cells.

The device, which stems from an EU-funded collaboration between designers and material scientists, includes printed organic photovoltaic cells that wrap around the helmet’s surface. This enables it to recharge its batteries from the sun, so you would theoretically never have to plug it in. This power source, in turn, runs a blinker lighting system on the back that lets vehicles and pedestrians know your intentions, along with a sensor that picks up when a vehicle is rapidly approaching from behind. Onboard haptic feedback warns the wearer or this condition, allowing for awareness, or potentially even evasive action if needed.

User input for ESUB Tracks is accomplished via a piezoelectric microphone for voice commands. It's also equipped with a bone-conductive speaker arrangement, letting users listen to audio over Bluetooth, while still hearing the surrounding noise. The device is controlled by an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense, and if all those features weren’t enough, it even tightens the straps down automatically once the buckle is attached! Be sure to check it out in the video below!