Antonia Wallace
Augmented Reality Ski Helmet
I have designed a ski helmet which uses augmented reality to make the user a safer and more aware skier. The helmet has a heads-up display which shows the user valuable information such as current speed, incline, the time and outside temperature. The helmet has two modes, A normal mode for good weather and clear visibility and the other mode is for white outs which includes an overlay of obstacles to help the user navigate the pistes. Both modes also include warnings when someone is coming behind you. This heads-up display means that the user is aware of what is happening around them even when they cannot see clearly allowing them to be more confident.
The heads-up display is projected onto the visor through small MEMs mirror projectors which are feed information from a powerful CPU. The 'brains' of the helmet is able to create a live map of the users environment by combining information from the 3D depth sensing stereo cameras and cloud data from Google Earth so that the camera can 'see' in whiteout conditions. There is a proximity sensor at the back of the helmet feeds warnings if someone is behind the user. The helmet is powered by a rechargeable 3.7v Lithium-ion battery which can be charged after a day of skiing with a USB C cable.
The components are housed in individual watertight boxes with EPDM seals and there are IP67 rated cable glands for the wires going into the boxes . The boxes are held together by external snap fits which mean the boxes are easily accessible. Damaged layers and components can be replaced as needed – meaning after an impact the helmets could be repaired so a whole new helmet is not required.
The helmet display is controlled by switches in accompanying pole grips so the user can interact with the Heads up display without impacting their skiing. The left pole grip controls the camera functions, and the right pole grip controls the heads-up display. The pole grips communicate with the helmet through Bluetooth and are charged with an AA battery.
The heads-up helmet has three levels of protection. The protruding fins are made of D3O which is normally soft and flexible but when there is an impact, the molecules lock together, absorbing the energy and then it returns to its flexible state. There is also a layer of Koroyd which is an advanced impact protection material. It’s made up of a matrix of extruded tubes which crumple on impact, absorbing energy. The material is lightweight and breathable and allows good airflow through the helmet. The helmet also includes a MIPS system which reduces rotational forces on impact meaning the head moves independently from the helmet which reduces the risk of brain injury in a fall.
The outer shell is made from polycarbonate because extremely strong and flexible and still performs well at low temperatures and the component boxes are made from ABS which will protect the components from damage from an impact and the users head from the components if they fall on them.
Antonia Wallace's designs
Student Biography
I’m passionate about design because of the impact it can have on people’s lives. I am particularly interested in where product design meets interiors and how spaces can be better designed to meet peoples needs while still maintaining the aesthetic value. I chose to study product design at Nottingham because I believed in my maths and technical skills and wanted to develop these skills further and hence was drawn to engineering. I am also creative and PDM gave me the opportunity to combine engineering and design.
Whilst at university I have found that I really enjoyed CAD modelling and rendering as I find the process very satisfying however, I don’t want to limit myself to one sector of design as of yet and so I am open to all opportunities. I would love to work on large scale commercial design projects such as designing office spaces where functionality is a key factor and there is an opportunity for innovative design to make the space as productive as possible.