Brit device that saves lives
A motorcycle helmet which gives riders eyes in the back of their head is set to transform road safety in Britain.
The Reevu MSX1 Helmet contains a tiny mirror in the top of the visor which allows the rider to see behind him.
The device uses technology which was originally developed in order to transmit messages to submerged oil rig divers.
The helmet has so far saved the lives of hundreds of customers, who have since written to the Sunderland-based company to express their thanks.
Engineer Graham Steele, 48, worked on the original technology in the late-1980s, which used pagers inside divers' helmets to prevent accidents in the North Sea.
He had to create a screen which was easy to read when it was close to the wearer's eyes.
Reevu chief executive Graham, who invented the helmet, said: "In the 80s there were a lot of divers being killed in the North Sea because at the depths they were working, it was difficult to pass them information. Pager technology was all the rage back then and the idea was to make a small LCD screen inside the helmet on which the divers could read messages.
"But if you hold a screen very close to your eyes, you can't see it - the focal length between your eye and the thing is too short. But one day I was in my workshop and had a Eureka moment."
Motorbike enthusiast Graham said: "I realised that even though you might not be able to see a screen when it is it close to your eyes, you can see it clearly if it is reflected onto a mirrored surface from behind you. We realised we had a brilliant idea for a motorbike helmet."
The top of the helmet liner is sculpted so the rider can see behind simply by glancing up into the rear-view mirror. The rider is more aware of his surroundings through peripheral vision.
Since ordinary motorbike helmets restrict both the wearer's hearing and field of vision, it is thought they have already prevented hundreds of accidents.
The Reevu helmet is available direct from the manufacturer and retails at around £249.
VIEW IN FRONT
Bikers can switch between looking at road ahead and the mirror
MIRROR VIEW
Tiny device reflects the view of the road behind like a car rear-view mirror
VIEW BEHIND
Technology used by North Sea divers was the helmet's inspiration
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