Slovenian company develops electric windshield wiper for motorcycle helmets

Windshield wipers have existed for more than a century, yet motorcycle helmets remained largely untouched by the idea.

Now, Slovenian company Bikerguard is trying to change that with a miniature electric wiper mounted directly onto a helmet visor, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.

The device is controlled by a button on the handlebars and clears rainwater from the visor while the rider keeps both hands on the motorcycle.

Its purpose is simple: improving visibility in wet weather without forcing riders to briefly let go of the handlebars to wipe the visor by hand.

"That moment is when riders become significantly more vulnerable," Slovenian entrepreneur Ivo Boscarol, the majority owner and adviser to the company, said at a product showcase.

An unusual idea for now

The visor wiper may look slightly unconventional at first sight, but many now indispensable products start life this way.

Boscarol compared the initial skepticism surrounding the device to early reactions to seat belts when they were first introduced in cars. "Every innovation is always received with a certain degree of scepticism," he said.

Whether visor wipers will gain wider acceptance remains uncertain. Motorcyclists already rely on anti-rain coatings, gloves or quick head movements to clear water from their visors, and many riders value minimalist helmet designs.

To improve uptake, the company has partnered with several companies. One, the insurer Generali, for example offers more favourable insurance rates for riders who use the wiper.

Testing where it matters most

It has also reached out to institutions that have a lot of motorcyclists: police forces.

The wipers are currently being tested by the Metropolitan Police in London, and discussions are also under way with police departments in the United States and Canada.

Slovenian police are expected to begin testing them soon. "Every little thing like this can contribute to traffic safety," said Matjaž Leskovar of the Slovenian traffic police.

Photo: Wikipedia