Imagine being able to see your speed, GPS directions, and radar alerts directly in front of your eyes while wearing a motorcycle helmet, just like in a science fiction film. The new GT-Air 3 Smart from Shoei, a touring helmet with an integrated Head-Up Display (HUD) in the visor, is based on this concept. The information appears in your field of vision so you can keep your eyes on the road rather than staring down at your phone or dash.
High-quality helmets are already a hallmark of the Japanese company Shoei, but this model goes beyond what is expected. The GT-Air 3 Smart, which was created in collaboration with the French firm EyeLights, is advertised as the first helmet in mass production that incorporates this type of augmented reality technology directly into the visor, rather than merely a limited test run.
A Nano OLED screen inside the visor
A tiny Nano OLED Full HD screen hidden behind an internal visor works as the system’s central component. It cuts out the need for your eyes to shift from the road to a close display by projecting important information at a “virtual” distance of about three meters in front of the rider.
Because you’re not looking down at instruments or a phone, its developers claim that this configuration can increase reaction time by about 32%. Sony’s Nano OLED technology is incredibly sharp and bright, designed to remain readable even in intense sunlight.
What shows on the mini-screen is up to the rider to decide:
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GPS navigation (including Waze or Google Maps)
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Current speed
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Speed camera or radar alerts
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Incoming call notifications
Communication, audio and voice control
The EyeLights connectivity module fits neatly into the helmet thanks to Shoei’s integration of its Shoei Comlink system. The package consists of:
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Premium speakers inside the helmet
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A rechargeable battery
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A noise-cancelling microphone
Wind noise doesn’t interfere with your ability to hear navigation, communicate with other riders, or answer calls. You can give commands without taking your hands off the bars thanks to support for voice assistants like Google AI and Siri.
Thanks to Online and Mesh Offline modes, the intercom system connected to EyeLights has been reported to have no rigid range or rider count restrictions. Additionally, it is compatible with other brands of intercoms. The battery can run continuously for more than ten hours, which is enough for a full day of riding.
A touring helmet first, smart tech second
The GT-Air 3 Smart keeps the same foundation as the standard GT-Air 3, approved under ECE 22/06, despite all the additional technology. The shell comes in three sizes to accommodate various heads and is made of several layers of fiberglass and organic fibers.
There are still the standard touring features:
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Aerodynamics to reduce noise and buffeting
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An efficient ventilation system
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Pinlock EVO anti-fog insert
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Integrated QSV-2 sun visor
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CNS-1C clear visor
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E.Q.R.S. emergency quick-release cheek pads
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A compact micrometric (ratchet) chin strap
The additional features are supposed to make up for the Smart version’s slight weight increase (the standard model weighs about 1.77 kg).
It is available in sizes ranging from S to XXL and in five color schemes: White, Matte Black, Matte Metallic Blue, Matte Metallic Gray, and Realm TC10. It is currently available for 1,199 euros on the EyeLights website.
A glimpse of tomorrow’s helmets
Future motorcycle helmets could look like the Shoei GT-Air 3 Smart, which offers comfort, protection, and digital tools.
This is some exciting Robocop thing—even for me, and i’m not even a biker. The rider gets a single helmet with HUD, intercom, and smart audio in place of separate devices on the bike and handlebars, all focused on what’s happening on the road.