Dora the Explorer would probably be inspired by Balazs Ficzer’s DORA helmet, which while still only a concept could be the future of helmets. It features front and rear LED lights as well as turn signals. The video below shows some other things that the DORA – the helmet not the cartoon girl – might be able to do. Video after the jump
Tag: LED
Night Watch
Expensive bikes are just magnets for thieves. One solution is to never, ever leave a bike unattended. That isn’t always possible, but fortunately there are those inventors and innovators who are looking at ways to keep our bikes safe.
One such example is the BikeWatch, which is being developed through Indiegogo. This concept device combines an LED light, an alarm and a cable lock. This ensures that riders have a small but durable cable lock for those times when a bike needs to be left for just a minute. If the cable is cut an alarm will sound for 10 minutes at a far more than annoying 105 dB. Attempts to remove the BikeWatch from the bike will get various “warning” alarms as well.
The system also provides a rear “blinky” light that can run for up to 24 hours of continued use. The entire BikeWatch is housed in an IP53 water-resistant housing. The BikeWatch sounds like a good way to protect the bike when a rider can’t actually watch it. Video after the jump
Light Stem
We’ve seen many bicycle stems that claim to be lightweight but there is one new stem that promises to lite it up instead. The StemLite is – as the name suggests – a handlebar stem with a built-in light. This ensures that riders will have a light, which can’t easily be stolen or lost. It also frees riders of needing to worry about a handlebar mounted system, not to mention the bulky battery pack.
Credit this innovation to the advances in LED technology. The StemLite utilizes 10 Nichia LEDs that combined can cast about 500 lumens on high mode. If that’s too much there is also a 300 lumen low mode, and even a flashing mode. The system is powered by just three AA batteries, with up to 12 hours per charge on high and 21 hours on low. The developers are now raising funds to bring out the StemLite via a Kickstarter project.
We’ve said it before, but this sounds like a bright idea. Video after the jump
Ball of Energy
Imagine if playing a game could not only burn calories but create energy? This is sort of the idea behind the Soccket Energy-Harnessing Soccer Ball, which is made of a durable, deflation-proof, water-proof EVA foam that also houses an internal engine that can harness the kinetic energy from movement and store it on a battery. From a little bit of kicking around it can reportedly be used to power an LED lamp for more than three days. Continue reading Ball of Energy
Light Jacket
Having a light jacket on a cool day is never a bad idea, but having a jacket that can light up is a great idea for those who run or cycle after dark. The Badger 360° LED Jacket incorporates small LED technology to help illuminate the jacket to ensure that wearer’s can be seen.
The creators – who have launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop the jacket – have embedded it with LED string that is low current, waterproof and flexible. In addition this jacket is made of polyester material that can help wick away moisture, while providing multiple pockets for mobile phone, ID and other can’t leave at home ideas. The hood of the jacket can be tucked away when not in use. And since batteries do run down, there are even reflective stripes along the zipper.
Best of this jacket is even waterproof – and once you remove the battery – it can be submerged in water to be washed. Video after the jump
LED Camp Light
LED isn’t just for flat panel TV sets. UCO has introduced its new Clarus LED Lantern, a collapsible, rugged and waterproof light that can provide up to 150 lumens of diffused white light. With up to 70 hours of run time it can be used as a lantern or a flashlight, making it the one light that can do multiple jobs while out in the wilds.
Integrated LEDs in the Innos
One problem with handlebar mounted lights is that they can be easily stolen or forgotten if you don’t leave them on the handlebars – and in either case if they’re not on the handlebars they’re not doing much good. This clearly was the inspiration behind the Innos LED handlebars that feature the lights inside the bars!
Designed with commuters in mind the company has introduced a flat bar that features the lighting and battery system completely inside the bars. This waterproof system offers six LEDs that provide 42 lumens that can run for up to five hours from 3AA batteries. This system can can’t be stolen – at least unless someone takes the handlebars or the bike itself!
Swiss Army Watch Has Night Vision
We’ve seen a variety of Swiss Army products from Victorinox, the company behind those multifunction devices and gizmos. One thing that the Swiss Army Knife doesn’t offer is a way to see in the dark, but that’s where the Night Vision watch comes in. This time piece features a series of integrated LED lights that enhance the ability to see the timepiece but also can be used as a flashlight and as a strobe that can be used as an emergency distress signal. The watch also has a red pilot light designed to help find it in the dark. Originally launched back in 2003 the Night Vision has gotten a makeover this fall. Video after the jump
Say You Want a Revolights
There is a certain irony in that many bicycle lights are located far higher than those on an automobile, which means that it isn’t able to illuminate the road as well. But Kent Frankovich and Adam Pettler had a revolutionary idea: mount the bike light on the wheel, which in turn put it closer to the ground.
The pair launched a Kickstarter campaign, with the goal to reach $43,500 and eventually raised more than $215,000, and the end result is that cyclists can now buy the new Revolights. Video after the jump
LED Flashlight Offers Blast of Light
The old school flashlight needed a massive battery – or batteries – and it was about as heavy as a brick. But fortunately LED technology has changed all that, and today flashlights such as the new Fenix LD41 can light the way through the darkest of nights.
Weighing in at just 9 ounces it runs on just four AA batteries and provides 520-lumens, which can outdo even what those old D battery powered flashlights could do just a few years ago. The LD41 can shoot a beam of light up to 600 feet, so it will be ideal for nighttime hikes or just for finding your way should the power go out.
Fenix Lighting Official Website
[Via Gearjunkie: Handheld L.E.D. Flashlights ‘cut through dark’ for hundreds of Feet]
MonkeyLectric Lights Up the Wheels
There are bike lights that are designed to ensure that you make it home alright and then there are the lights from MonkeyLectric, which are LED lights that mount to the spokes. This will ensure that you are seen by cars after dark, but with a bit of fun as well. These lights can be programmed with 42 patterns that are sure to be noticed. Video after the jump
Backpack Adds Some Light
Torch clearly likes to put lights on things. Early this year we noted that the company had designed a helmet with a built in light, and now comes the Torch FLUX backpack, which also features an integrated LED light. This light can run for two to five hours, depending on whether it is used for steady or flash modes, and it features a USB connect for easy recharging.
The LED unit is also removable and can be mounted directly to a bike seat post for those times when a bag isn’t needed. The bag should be able to endure the daily commute with ease, as it is made of 1,000 denier Cordura nylon, and features a waterproof vinyl-coated polyester lining.
Bright (Helmet) Idea
As we’ve noted of late the weather is getting cooler as fall has arrived, but more importantly the sun is setting earlier and that means less time to ride home before dark. Having lights and reflectors on a bike is always a good idea, but now the folks at BrightHelmet have had a bright idea by providing LED strips molded into the shell of the helmet, offering 360-degree visibility to drivers.