Helmo

What it does

Helmo is a helmet-mounted haptic system that alerts scooter riders to vehicles in their blind spots using directional vibrations—enhancing safety without visual or audio distractions.

Your inspiration

I grew up riding a scooter in Taiwan, where narrow streets quickly fill with vehicles and blind‑spot collisions are a constant worry. Despite the sheer number of scooters, few safety aids exist to warn riders of approaching traffic. In fact, 11.18% of scooter accidents in Taiwan are caused by improper turning, often due to blind spots that mirrors can't cover. Drawing on my own near‑misses and daily commute challenges, I designed Helmo to bring the kind of directional, non‑intrusive assistance I wished I’d had on every ride.

How it works

When you ride, Helmo monitors what's behind you and turns that information into simple buzzes on your head, alerting you to vehicles in your blind spots. Three small ultrasonic sensors mounted behind the helmet send out sound pulses every 0.1 seconds to detect distance. A tiny microcontroller processes the data and sends it wirelessly via Bluetooth to vibration patches inside the helmet—left, center, and right. Depending on the direction and distance, the system triggers a short, location-specific buzz to indicate where a vehicle is approaching from. The closer the object, the stronger or faster the vibration. As traffic moves, the system adapts in real time, providing clear, momentary alerts without overwhelming the rider. Everything runs on small, rechargeable batteries, and the patches attach with Velcro—no tools required. With Helmo, your helmet becomes a smart safety tool, filling in the gaps your mirrors miss—without distracting your eyes or ears.

Design process

We designed a solution with two main components: a helmet-mounted haptic feedback system and a rear distance-sensing module. Our first prototype used ERM motors arranged in five zones, but user testing revealed this was too complex. We refined the system to three zones—left, center, and right—for faster, more intuitive recognition. For sensing, we used HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors angled at 60° and connected to an ESP32 microcontroller that transmits data via Bluetooth. To avoid constant buzzing, we implemented a dynamic update rate: the closer the object, the faster the system reacts. We then refined the haptics by creating multi-level vibration profiles—lighter buzzes for distant vehicles and stronger ones for closer threats. Voltage ranges (1.9V–5.0V) were tuned to balance clarity and comfort. Using Velcro attachments, Helmo fits on any helmet. Every iteration brought us closer to a system that’s intuitive, practical, and effortless to use.

How it is different

Helmo is designed specifically for scooter riders, who already rely heavily on vision and hearing in noisy, fast-moving environments. Unlike car systems that use lights or sounds, Helmo delivers directional haptic alerts—felt through the helmet—so riders can stay focused on the road without added distractions. What makes Helmo different: 1. No extra gear – The system fits inside any helmet using Velcro, with no need for additional wearables. 2. Non-visual, non-auditory – Vibrations indicate the direction and proximity of vehicles without adding to visual or sound overload. 3. Tailored for scooters – Built for outdoor conditions like wind and engine noise, with adaptive vibration strength. 4. Expandable tech – Initially designed for East Asia’s scooters, the concept can also be adapted for cyclists in other regions. Helmo uses what riders already wear—their helmet—as a smart safety tool, offering intuitive, real-time feedback through touch alone.

Future plans

Next, we plan to adapt Helmo for cycling in Western countries, where helmet-based safety tech is on the rise. While bikes and scooters differ, the core idea remains: real-time, intuitive haptic alerts. After presenting at IEEE WHC 2025, we aim to refine the vibration patterns for even clearer, more precise feedback. We're also exploring collaborations with sensing tech companies to bring advanced proximity detection to lightweight vehicles. Long term, we see Helmo as a versatile platform for intuitive, rider-first safety across various forms of urban mobility.

Awards

Helmo was showcased at the IEEE World Haptics Conference (WHC) 2025 in Suwon, South Korea, as part of the Hans-On Demo track. Hands-on demonstrations are highly valued at the IEEE World Haptics Conference showcasing any type of haptic devices, software, experiences, or experiments of interest to the haptics community.