Technology

A French company which plans to produce LED signs for motorcycles and cars so riders and drivers can communicate with each other by SMS is having a second go at funding its product. The idea is you use voice activation to dictate a written message to traffic which is displayed on …

Even though this Friday is not the 13th, it’s still considered Black Friday in the retail world with a host of discounts being offered. Black Friday is the informal name given to the day after America’s Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. Many Americans take the day off to …

TomTom has finally released their new Rider 550 satnav with new routes, wifi, personalised trips, smartphone connectivity, group sharing and voice activation. It costs $599 and we wondered whether it is worth the money when smartphones these days seem to do so much of the tasks of a satnav. So …

RiderBuds earphones claim to be the smallest, softest, toughest, quietest and most secure earphones for riders that won’t come out when you put your helmet on or take it off. Founder Maurice Dziubinski says he has spent hundreds of hours testing the earphones, talked with more than 1000 riders around …

Hi-fi quality sound is coming to motorcycle helmets after Cardo Systems, makers of the popular Scala Bluetooth helmet intercom, announced a partnership with hi-fi speaker company JBL. The American company announced at last week’s Intermot motorcycle show in Cologne that the new speakers would be included in their Packtalk units …

Have you ever had to stop riding and swap your sunglasses for bifocal or prescription glasses to read a map or your instruments? Soon you may not have to stop and swap! A small family company based on the Gold Coast has developed the world’s first photochromic bifocal sunglasses for …

The makers of the basic EyeCo head-up display unit that flashes coloured alert lights in a rider’s peripheral vision claim it is a “Fitbit for your eyesight”. EyeCo refer to it as a “personal co-pilot” that helps racers train and supplies basic navigation aids. It looks more like a distraction …

Arizona company MiClimate says their lightweight wearable air-conditioning unit for riders is expected to be available in the middle of this southern summer. MiClimate was unveiled in April 2016 and has been a long time in the development stage. Now MiCli 1 is expected to ship in December at $US399 …

Google Maps has expanded its two-wheeler mode for motorcycles and scooters into Asia after launching in India in December 2017. Motorbike mode differs from other modes by providing alternate routes and faster estimated arrival times. Google Maps currently provides travel routes, navigation and travel time estimates for public transport, bicycles, …

Touring apps for motorcycle riders are flooding the market, each with their own quirks and features. Two new touring apps are Moto Trip Now from American rider Keith Kubarek and Tourstart’s BMW MOA, specifically for BMW riders. Moto Trip Now app Moto Trip Now founder Keith says his app allows the …