NAVHELM: Reducing Distractions, Increase Focus and Responsiveness

Abstract

Increased number of motorcycles on the road cause a high number of accidents which
are primarily due to the usage of mobile phone while riding. Motorcyclists use mobile
phones mostly to see navigation instructions, which involve their head movement that
leads to distraction and as a result, it may cause accidents. The objective of this paper is
to present the development of a helmet with integrated navigation (i.e., NAVHELM) and
present evidence that demonstrates how it reduces riders’ distraction and increases focus
and responsiveness. NAVHELM utilizes Node MCU ESP8266, an Internet of Things (IoT)
platform as the microcontroller that receive navigational data from navigator mobile
application and data are displayed on the helmet head-up display. Two food delivery
riders have tested NAVHELM. The outcome shows that the use of NAVHELM lessens the
rider interruption and increased focus on the street while getting response data through
display and audio navigation. The rating given by the riders indicated that having
NAVHELM is an added advantage. The use of NAVHELM kept their attention on the
road, increase focus and allowing navigation through the head-up display. One of the
most significant advantages of this innovation is the possibility of reducing the number of
accidents among food delivery riders.