No one needs to be more of a defensive driver on the road than motorcycle riders, so offering them as much information as possible without requiring them to take their eyes off the road is a big advantage. And that’s exactly what BMW plans to do with its new Smartglasses.
Introduced by BMW Motorrad, the device looks just like a set of only slightly dorky sunglasses, on whose right lens information about navigation, speed, gear, or other important data can be projected. Much like the heads-up display offered in BMW’s four-wheel vehicles, the screen can present riders with crucial information right where they would otherwise be looking.
The position of the information can be adjusted to sit perfectly for each rider, and the glasses can be connected to your smart device via Bluetooth. Through the BMW Motorrad Connected app, they can show GPS data, and more.
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Since ConnectRide Smartglasses, to give them their full name, are designed specifically for motorcycle riders, BMW offers them in two sizes (medium and large) to fit a variety of faces, as well as to sit comfortably inside a number of helmets.
Moreover, the glasses come with two sets of lenses for different helmet visors. For instance, one set is 85 percent transparent, and is specifically designed for use under helmets with integrated sun visors. Both lenses are UVA/UVB certified, and can be ordered to match your prescription (+/- 4.5 diopters), if you wear glasses.
The glasses are powered by an integrated lithium-ion battery that can last for up to 10 hours at a time, and can be charged via a USB cable. They are designed to work at temperatures of up to 122 °F (50 °C) or as low as 14 °F (-10 °C) for the bravest riders out there.
Given the technology going into them, the glasses aren’t cheap, with an MSRP of €690 ($757 USD at current exchange rates), but neither are they the most expensive sunglasses we’ve ever seen an automaker offer, smart technology notwithstanding.