Can You See Me Now?... Good! (j-lights)

JustJosh

JustJosh

There is no such thing as too visible
Hey Everyone! I mentioned this in a separate thread but I wanted to share my progress on an LED helmet lighting system for maximum visibility. I just uploaded my first vid of the prototype to youtube on the Color Changing mode and would love to get some feedback from you all! The controller on it also allows you to set it to any solid color you like. Solid amber would be the most sure fire "legal". Is this something you'd add to your helmet for the sake of being seen?

 
Looks good with all that changing colors and all, photos of some close-ups in regards to the setup/wiring would be good. Got some Tron-Daft Punk hybrid going on there.

Are they rain/water proof? Is the wiring too? How much weight does it add, not including the weight of your helmet camera, to your helmet?
 
This prototype isn't waterproof, I'll have to scrounge up an accurate scale to get the added weight, but it's definitely not more than 3-4oz. I'm waiting on an alternative micro RGB controller to arrive from China that'll make the rig even lighter and won't be so bulky in the back. The next prototype Will be waterproof. Conceptually though,is this something you'd put on your helmet for the sake of being seen?
 
It's definitely an attention grabber, maybe too much attention grabbing. While you're at it, why not rig your jacket including the sleeves, that would be hella cool I think.
 
LED epaulettes, I like the idea :)

Looks good, certainly help grab attention. Wonder what they'd think of them in the UK?
 
You could rig up your whole self and the bike and look like a light cycle from Tron!

I ride to work at 5:30am when it's dark, so could be a good idea to add some lights. I typically don't ride in the rain, but water-resistance would be a plus.
 
SighBored said:
It's definitely an attention grabber, maybe too much attention grabbing. While you're at it, why not rig your jacket including the sleeves, that would be hella cool I think.
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Rigging up the jacket is actually on the to do list as well! I also want to synchronize it with the turn signals and brake lights eventually, but those features are still several months out.
 
Looks cool. I'd probably go from white light on the front and red on the back due to the local laws around here. Are they all tied in to the same controller and have to display the same colors?
 
RogueMogul said:
Looks cool. I'd probably go from white light on the front and red on the back due to the local laws around here. Are they all tied in to the same controller and have to display the same colors?
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Currently yes, they are all tied to the same RGB controller. The simple way to have a different color on the front/sides/back would be to use single color LED strips linked together. The AWESOME way to do would be using Digital RGB strips so I could program the individual LEDs.
 
JustJosh said:
Currently yes, they are all tied to the same RGB controller. The simple way to have a different color on the front/sides/back would be to use single color LED strips linked together. The AWESOME way to do would be using Digital RGB strips so I could program the individual LEDs.
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The second option would be super cool. You could just have an array of LEDs all over the helmet and address them individually. You could scroll messages, display images... yeah that would be rad. But illegal in most places! :(
 
RogueMogul said:
The second option would be super cool. You could just have an array of LEDs all over the helmet and address them individually. You could scroll messages, display images... yeah that would be rad. But illegal in most places! :(
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Yeah, there's a fine line between being visible and being straight up distracting (as awesome as it may be). However, considering the technology for helmet lighting is totally doable now, I feel like it's time there was official legislation for what IS legal on a motorcycle helmet. One of the biggest concerns I've heard is from a CHP officer's stand point is: "If I'm a driver and I see a crazy bright LED motorcycle helmet in my rear view mirror, am I going to be able to identify what it is??". I think 2 wheeled vehicles (motorcycles and bicycles too) should get an official color like neon green that is reserved strictly for identifying them and is not only legal but encouraged to have on their helmets. How many times have you been driving at night and seen a single headlight coming at you in the opposite direction and couldn't tell if it was a motorcycle or a car with 1 headlight out? Or not been able to identify the motorcycle coming up behind you splitting lanes on the freeway? If all motorcycles had bright green helmet lights going, I feel like that would make things easier on everyone. If it IS illegal, I think we should figure out how to MAKE IT legal. ;)
 
What kind of current draw are you looking at there. Is it something that could be incorporated with a battery pack from a gopro so that it would be interchangeable with what a lot of people already have? If you were to incorporate that battery with a smaller controller or even a slow flash controller
 
This kind of innovation saves lives and is greatly needed. The biggest factor in crashes is "I just didn't see him." I do caution you to check the patent office to make sure you are not violating anyone else's patent, I would hate to see all your work turn into someone else's profits. A simple search on the patent website should let you know if anything needs tweaking to not violate existing ideas (I know I've seen an led tape kit somewhere). Get it small and compatible with equipment people already have and you have a winner man!
 
As always the Texas Code leaves a lot to Officer "Interpretation".

(a) A motor vehicle lamp or illuminating device, other than a headlamp, spotlamp, auxiliary lamp, turn signal lamp, or emergency vehicle or school bus warning lamp, that projects a beam with an intensity brighter than 300 candlepower shall be directed so that no part of the high-intensity portion of the beam strikes the roadway at a distance of more than 75 feet from the vehicle.

(b) Except as expressly authorized by law, a person may not operate or move equipment or a vehicle, other than a police vehicle, with a lamp or device that displays a red light visible from directly in front of the center of the equipment or vehicle.

(c) A person may not operate a motor vehicle equipped with a red, white, or blue beacon, flashing, or alternating light unless the equipment is:

(1) used as specifically authorized by this chapter; or

(2) a running lamp, headlamp, taillamp, backup lamp, or turn signal lamp that is used as authorized by law.

(d) A vehicle may be equipped with alternately flashing lighting equipment described by Section 547.701 or 547.702 only if the vehicle is:

(1) a school bus;

(2) an authorized emergency vehicle;

(3) a church bus that has the words "church bus" printed on the front and rear of the bus so as to be clearly discernable to other vehicle operators;

(4) a tow truck while under the direction of a law enforcement officer at the scene of an accident or while hooking up to a disabled vehicle on a roadway; or

(5) a tow truck with a mounted light bar which has turn signals and stop lamps in addition to those required by Sections 547.322, 547.323, and 547.324, Transportation Code.

- See more at: http://codes.lp.findlaw.com/txstatutes/TN/7/C/547/D/547.305#sthash.okkmsvEv.dpuf
 
Basically, what I get from all that gobbledygook is that green or purple running lights are probably alright. White or blue lights visible from the front may be OK as long as they are not flashing lights. Red lights are OK if only seen from the rear. This isn't a bad idea, because when people see red they think tail lights and think headlights when they see white.

Every state is different, so check the laws.
 
MrJoel said:
This kind of innovation saves lives and is greatly needed. The biggest factor in crashes is "I just didn't see him." I do caution you to check the patent office to make sure you are not violating anyone else's patent, I would hate to see all your work turn into someone else's profits. A simple search on the patent website should let you know if anything needs tweaking to not violate existing ideas (I know I've seen an led tape kit somewhere). Get it small and compatible with equipment people already have and you have a winner man!
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I'm definitely going to be investigating the patent side of things (and hopefully submitting on of my own). For the power source I'm leaning towards having it plug directly into a battery tender cable so the you never have to worry about having a charged battery pack to stay visible.

For everyone that's been following this thread and is interested in being equally visible themselves, (especially if you ride on a frequent basis) I'd love to work with you on these prototypes and assemble a kit for you to try out. All I ask is that you cover the cost of parts and shipping. Message me directly if you're interested in being on the front lines of safety innovation for dirt cheap :)
 
It won't be dirt cheap if you are shipping stuff to where I'm located. LoL! I guess since you are still doing your trials, try going for a "glow" look, instead of flashing/bright, a glow would get you noticed minus all the glare that might cause distraction, if you see some of the new riding jackets that come with LEDs, they're usually the glow kind rather that the strobe/flash-in-your-eyes sort.
 
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