Technology makes its way into our lives every day. Even in the motorcycle industry, high tech is rooted in our motorcycles and the devices we carry on them. One area that is experiencing a technology boom of sorts is motorcycle helmets. Heads Up Display (HUD) units are finding their way into our helmets and onto our visors. Even manufacturers like KTM are investing in companies developing HUD helmet technology.

The idea is that HUDs can provide more information to a rider to help them see and make decisions about things like speed limits, roadway corners, and other vehicles. The addition of this type of information is touted as potentially making riding safer.

In addition to the aforementioned “safety” information, other HUD capabilities allow a rider to manage other things like telephone calls, music, and navigation. All without purportedly requiring a rider to take their eyes off the road.

HUD-induced information overload?

But with the increase of available information and potential for easier task management, a new question arises. Is the new technology actually helpful and a potential lifesaver, or is it a distraction that could cost lives? Could there be a third answer that suggests the outcome is somewhere in the middle?

TheFlight Safety Foundation’s website has a good articleabout cockpit displays and audible warnings that could potentially result in information and attention overload. While it is not 100 percent applicable to motorcycle helmet HUDs, it discusses how much information may be appropriate. So when motorcycle helmets incorporate HUDs, are they helpful—or could they be just another distraction to a rider’s attention? Also, does the capability to take phone calls or manage music while riding increase or decrease safety?

More than one recent startup and even a major helmet manufacturer are working on HUD systems for motorcycle helmets. Some solutions not only display fixed information, but also add an augmented reality component that supposedly helps riders visualize things like curves as they approach.

So what do you think? Dodo these tech assist systems add to motorcyclist safety or detract from it? Let us know what you think in the comments below.