The Lumos Matrix is the ideal urban bike helmet for a smarter, safer day trip – TechCrunch

Many of us are still more or less confined to our own homes and limited social spaces for the foreseeable future, and for many of you this has resulted in a rediscovery of the joy of cycling. Bicycling is a great way to spend time outdoors exploring your own city, and if you are just starting out into this hobby or if you are a longtime cyclist looking for an upgrade this is this Lumos Matrix Smart Helmet is a sensible technology with a solid design that combines a number of related functions into one great package.

The basics

The matrix is ​​a version of Lumos’ The smart helmet has been updated with a modern, urban helmet aesthetic and a new large LED display on the back that can be programmed to display a variety of different patterns, including simple images. In addition to the rear light, it contains a built-in front light as well as integrated turn signals that work with an included physical handlebar remote control or together with an Apple Watch app. It is available in either glossy white or matt black (as in the test).

Lumos designed the Matrix to work with a wide variety of head sizes. This is partly due to two sets of included Velcro straps for the inside of the helmet, but mostly due to the adjustable ratchet size strap on the inside. This can easily be chosen to tighten or loosen the helmet to fit heads between 22 and 24 inches.

The exterior of the Lumos is made of an ABS plastic that provides complete weather resistance so you can wear it in the rain without worrying about the condition of the embedded electronics. There is also a MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) option that you can add if you want an extra level of security. However, this has not yet been delivered and should be “available soon” according to the company.

With a button integrated in the helmet strap, you can turn it on and off and switch between the integrated patterns. You can also pair the helmet with your smartphone via Bluetooth and use the special app to adjust functions such as brightness and even create your own patterns for the rear display. Also included in the box is a charging cable with a standard USB-A port on one end and a proprietary magnetic charging pad on the other end for turning on your helmet and the handlebar remote.

Design and performance

The Lumos Matrix has a largely continuous surface with four ventilation openings on the top of the helmet for airflow and a brim integrated into the shell. As mentioned earlier, the helmet has a front-facing light built into it that is protected by a transparent plastic cover, as well as a back with 7 × 11 LED lights that create a dot-matrix-style display that shows images or animations can, including scrolling text. These LEDs are all fully RGB so that the user can take full advantage of his own or integrated display creations.

Lumos also makes the Kickstart, which has a more aerodynamic, thoroughly ventilated design. The appearance of the Matrix is ​​more similar to the helmets used in skateboarding and urban commuter cyclists. Despite its more solid design, I found during testing that it was actually very comfortable, cool, and allowed a lot of airflow. The helmet sits a bit high on the head, but has plenty of hard foam padding and definitely feels like a solid piece of protective equipment. Overall, the extreme quality of construction and the level of finishes on the matrix help it deserve its higher price tag.

The Matrix is ​​also comfortable and the adjustable size straps ensure a snug fit so the helmet doesn’t move at all when worn. The activation button on the chin strap near your ear is easy to find and press. The tactile response is combined with an audible signal so you know it is on. There’s also a built-in magnetic holder for the included two-button handlebar turn signal remote control in the back interior of the helmet itself, which is especially useful when you’re wearing the helmet on errands.

In terms of smart features, Lumos has created a very sensible set of default on-board lighting settings that make it easy to put on the helmet and drive off. The built-in patterns offer a number of options, but all of them help improve your visibility – and the bright lighting increases your ability to be seen by drivers, fellow cyclists, and pedestrians, even when you’re cycling in bright daylight.

The customization of the rear dot matrix display is also very convenient. Even if you’re not interested in creating colorful designs to express your artistic self, you can use them for much more practical reasons – for example, to display a simple scrolling message (such as “cycling with kids”) to alert others to make reasons to pay increased attention.

The supplied Lumos handlebar remote control is immediately ready for use and extremely reliable when the indicators on the helmet are activated. The Lumos smartwatch app was much more successful for me when it came to reliably recognizing my arm gestures in order to automate the signaling. However, this is a value-added function anyway and is absolutely not required in order to take full advantage of the helmet. The integration of the app with Apple Health for training while cycling is also fantastic and really adds to the overall experience of using the Matrix helmet.

Bottom line

The Lumos Matrix is ​​a fantastic bike helmet with an amazing built-in smart lighting system that is both bright and highly customizable. There’s a reason this thing is worn Apple Stores – it’s of the highest quality in terms of construction, software integration, and design. However, the retail price starts at $ 249.95. This is a lot when you consider that a high quality MIPS helmet with no smart features will only cost you around $ 60.

However, considering how much technology is on board the Matrix, the pricing is a lot easier to swallow. It is true that dedicated lights aren’t expensive either, but the ones on the Matrix are of a very high quality and extremely visible in all lighting conditions. And the Matrix offers unique features you won’t find anywhere else, including active turn signals and automated brake lights that really improve your ability to safely share the road with other cyclists and vehicles.