Heads up display for safe cycling makes CES appearance

Heads up display for safe cycling makes CES appearance

Garmin, the navigation tech company, has taken advantage of this year's CES in Las Vegas to announce Varia Vision, an in-sight display. Garmin has been known for its GPS navigation and wireless devices and applications; this new product should be of interest to Garmin fans wanting to add another level of safety in their bicycle treks, including daily rides in big-city traffic.

"We have a vision for a safer riding environment for every cyclist. A world where can keep their focus up while staying aware of their stats and surroundings."

The video was published Tuesday, talking about the answers to a cyclist's dream of getting home in one piece. "I have this vision of keeping my focus forward." "I have this vision of fewer close calls on my commute."

The rider will be able to find the next turn or stay aware of cars approaching from behind.

In the mix are performance alerts (vibration alerts), smart notifications, ride data and turn-by-turn directions. You can swipe to change the screen even if wearing gloves.

This is described by its makers as an in-sight display that helps enhance cyclists' road awareness by putting information in their line of sight.

A rearview radar system with Varia Vision can warn the person of traffic approaching from behind ("You can also pair it with the $200 Varia rearview radar system to receive alerts of traffic approaching from behind, up to 140m away," said Abhimanyu Ghoshal in The Next Web).

The device mounts to either side of your existing sunglasses. Dimensions are given as 2.4" x 0.77" x 0.78" (60.0 mm x 19.7 mm x 19.8 mm).

Battery life is eight hours; the device weighs approximately one ounce The company release said that an integrated ambient light sensor and color display ensure readability in all conditions.

Varia Vision in-sight display will begin shipping in Q1 and is available for $399.99.

Julian Spector at CityLab said with the product, the cyclist's sunglasses can be transformed into "a livestream of useful—and potentially life-saving—information."

In January last year, interestingly, Garmin announced it acquired the assets of iKubu, a designer of computer and radar systems for cycling.

"iKubu has found a way to implement short-range radar into a low-power system that addresses a common concern among cyclists – identifying potential hazards that are approaching them from behind," said Cliff Pemble, Garmin's president and CEO. "We are delighted to add this technology to the Garmin portfolio."

"Of course," said Spector, "there's another technology that lets bicyclists see what's coming up behind them. It's called a mirror."

More information: buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/prod530536.html#productTab

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