BMW keeps your eyes on the road and both hands on the handles.
The company premiered its new set of smart glasses at Motorrad Days. Called ConnectedDrive Smartglasses, the glasses are designed to pair with the BMW Motorrad smartphone app and can display a range of information in an augmented reality mode to assist you during your ride.
This includes a navigation feature that uses the app’s GPS feature and displays directions right in front of your eyes. The details shown can be set from basic arrows that show you where to go to one that shows “street names, intersections and precise directions”.
Other features include your speed, local speed limit and details about your equipment. BMW also claims the glasses can run for ten hours on a single charge, which should be enough to see you through all but the longest ride.
Some bikes also have additional functionality. If your handlebars have a multi-controller mounted on them, you can make adjustments to the HUD mid-ride.
Glasses are very customizable
BMW has customized several aspects of the ConnectedRide smart glasses, giving users a better experience. The HUD itself can be moved around the lens via the app. This ensures that the user has a full view of the displayed information and that the display will not be intrusive or distracting.
Like many other HUD-like displays, you can switch between the projected information and your view of the world by simply changing the focus of your eyes. This may seem complex, but it doesn’t take much to get used to.
Two frame sizes are offered, which should help if you have a particularly large or small head, and there’s a range of nose pads to ensure a comfortable fit. Two sets of UVA/UVB certified lenses are also included, one for riders who ride with a visor on their helmet and one for those who want the ConnectedRide Smartglasses to double as a set of sunglasses.
People who do not have 20/20 vision may also be able to use the glasses comfortably, thanks to the availability of an RX adapter. The adapter can shift 4.5 diopters either way to greatly increase the range of people who can safely wear the technology. The RX adapter can be ordered online via a QR code in the glasses manual.
Exact US pricing has not been announced, but in Europe, the ConnectedRide Smartglasses will have a starting price of €690.
