NAVisor-a Helmet that turns into a Navigation Device

Three engineering students from the Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, have successfully come up with an innovative device to keep riders safe while also assisting in navigation.

Milind Manoj, Pradeep Parthasarathy and Riya Gangamma participated in the Indian Innovation Design Contest, an initiative of the Government of India, in 2017.

Here, the trio presented their retrofitted device — NAVisor, that currently only fits a full-sized helmet with a chin guard and guides the user on their journey. The device connects to a mobile app via Bluetooth and directs the rider with LED illuminations and earphones attached inside the helmet.

The Smart Augmented Reality helmet for Enhanced Safety and Driving Assistance (SARmet) was one of the 10 winners of the competition. In 2018, Milind and his friends launched the startup PupilMesh to develop the device further and commercialize it.

The device weighs 7.8 grams with a 750mAh lithium-polymer battery that charges in two hours and lasts up to a minimum of three days. The lights come with automatic brightness adjustments that change according to the weather conditions.

Other features of the NAVisor include music and talk time up to 11 hours, 300 mW speaker power, 105 dB microphone sensitivity and noise control.

Check out the video of how NAVisor works.

Over 100 users have tried the device, which costs Rs 3,500. The startup has received 40 pre-orders so far, and aims to reach 100 by July 2021.

With funding of Rs 20 lakh from IIM-Bangalore, it also received support from Texas instruments and SINE (Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship) and IIT Bombay.

“The devices will be delivered to customers by September this year,” Milind says, adding, “I hope the device helps to reduce road risks and make navigation easy for all.”

Reference: The Better India