First look: Lumos smart bike helmet with Apple Watch gesture integration and HealthKit sup...

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in iOS
Kickstarter success story Lumos has launched a series of major new features to their smart bike helmet. AppleInsider got its hands on the helmet and the company's new iPhone and Apple Watch apps to offer a first look at the biking accessory.

Lumos smart bike helet


Lumos debuted nearly three years ago and has been shipping for almost two. Much has changed since then, with new just-launched features that add Apple Watch gesture control and integrate with Apple HealthKit.

Lumos Bike Helmet Box


Lumos arrives in a compact yellow box, with not much to differentiate it from most other helmets you'd find at your local bike shop. Even when you unbox the helmet, it still looks like a fairly normal helmet until you examine it a bit closer.

Lumos Bike Helmet Back


Along the front is a thin semi-opaque plastic that covers a string of LEDs. What's more, is the entirety of the back is covered in them as well.

These LEDs are used to help identify yourself on the road, alert those behind you when you're breaking, and even act as turn signals when you are ready to make a turn.

A small magnetic connector resides around the back that is used to charge Lumos with the included specialty USB cable.

Fit and wear

Even with all the technology baked in, Lumos is still quite light. As it should be for a helmet in this price range. There was an easy to use adjustment wheel in the back that can be used to tighten and loosen the helmet, making for easy fitting.

Lumos Bike Helmet adjustments


Once adjusted correctly, Lumos was also very comfortable. I much preferred it to my current helmet, though it cost me a whole lot less.

Using turn signals

I think the biggest feature update would be the gesture support for Apple Watch. By just making the standard turn signals with your hand, Lumos will reflect that in the flashing lights on the rear of the helmet. We tested this a bit, and after some calibration, it worked really well.

This makes the entire experience much more seamless. I already do the hand gestures by default anyway, and now I don't need to worry about pressing some button on my handlebars to activate the turn signal.

It is significantly easier to see the flashing turn signals on the helmet than just a hand motion. Frequently, that hand motion turn signal designator can be blocked by your body, making it even more dangerous for bikers on the road.

Apple Health

This most recent update also integrates with Apple's HealthKit. Now, all your bike rides will be saved right into the Health app, like any other workout.

Aside from Health, Strava is also supported by Lumos.

Lumos features automatic ride detection, so it should automatically start tracking your workout whenever you start riding, then save that to Health when you are finished. This is something we will have to test as we spend more time with the helmet to see how it works.



With such tight integration with Apple's hardware and software, it comes as no surprise that Apple has decided to start selling Lumos in 300 Apple Stores in the US and Europe.

We'll be taking many more rides with the Lumos helmet in the coming weeks, and will report back how we feel about it with longer-term use later on in the spring or early summer.

At what price safety?

There's no getting around the fact that Lumos is a bit expensive. At nearly $180, that is two to three times what most people would spend on their helmet.

As biking is becoming more and more popular as a means of transportation, safety is still an issue for many. Having turn signals, especially ones that are easy to enable while riding and high enough for drivers to see, could make a big difference for many daily bikers.

Where to buy

You can find the Lumos smart bike helmet in Apple Stores and online for $179.95.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    magman1979magman1979 Posts: 1,301member
    As a road cyclist riding in urban area bike lanes (dedicated and shared), this is the first piece of "smart" bike accessory gear that has truly peaked my interest!

    A bit pricy though...
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 7
    sandorsandor Posts: 670member
    As a 10 year+ daily bike commuter in a major US city...My Giro helmet, 750 lumen headlight & tail light cost $75 less.

    I wish safety were as simple as having indicators.
    Honestly, the best investment i made was in a $20 air horn (refillable with my bike pump) 115 dB and it has the tone of a big truck.
    It has been the only thing, apart from a u-lock swinging from my bar end, that has kept drivers at bay.

    20+ years of bicycle and motorcycle riding has taught me that bright lights all day & night are important, but being heard is more important once the car is cutting into your lane.
    Every time i have been hit  (walking pedestrian, bicycle & motorcycle) the driver's excuse is "i didn't see you."
    edited May 2018 GG1watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 7
    gutengelgutengel Posts: 363member
    This would be a great opportunity for Apple to start sharing their W1 chip with 3rd parties.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 7
    neo-techneo-tech Posts: 38member
    I bought one a year ago and love it. I'm glad they now offer Apple Watch integration as it makes using the turn signals effortless compared to having to use the switch.
    Glad that I could just update the firmware on my helmet through the app to gain this new functionality.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 7
    Dougie.SDougie.S Posts: 44member
    Got mine preordered on Amazon. Launches 1st June in U.K. there. £159.99
    Can't wait to try it out. Looks really interesting and I missed out on the Kickstarter!
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 7
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    “These LEDs are used to help identify yourself on the road, alert those behind you when you're breaking...”

    Should be “braking”.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 7
    freerangefreerange Posts: 1,597member
    sandor said:
    As a 10 year+ daily bike commuter in a major US city...My Giro helmet, 750 lumen headlight & tail light cost $75 less.

    I wish safety were as simple as having indicators.
    Honestly, the best investment i made was in a $20 air horn (refillable with my bike pump) 115 dB and it has the tone of a big truck.
    It has been the only thing, apart from a u-lock swinging from my bar end, that has kept drivers at bay.

    20+ years of bicycle and motorcycle riding has taught me that bright lights all day & night are important, but being heard is more important once the car is cutting into your lane.
    Every time i have been hit  (walking pedestrian, bicycle & motorcycle) the driver's excuse is "i didn't see you."
    I lived in China for 5 years and also used a similar air horn that you filled with bicycle pump. It was an essential piece of equipment to ride on Chinese roads with their horrible drivers - it scared the shit out of drivers and saved me more than a few times as drivers tend to come out of side streets there without even looking! And no regard for bicycles whatsoever!!!!
    edited May 2018 watto_cobra
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