Livemap raises $300k for its smart motorcycle helmet

A Russian startup by the name of Livemap has raised $300,000 in funding to develop its unique new motorcycle helmet that is voice controlled and provides GPS navigation through a HUD-like translucent screen that rests in front of the wearer’s face. This screen can display maps and notifications in such a way that it doesn’t obstruct the wearer’s vision while they drive.

As we’re coming up on the next Consumer Electronics Show, I got an update from one of the companies that participated in TechCrunch’s Hardware Battlefield at the last CES — Russian startup Livemap. The Livemap team is working to create motorcycle helmets with voice control and GPS navigation directly in your field of vision — so while you’re riding, you can see directions in your helmet display without having to fiddle with another device or look away from the road. (Back in January, the Livemap team demonstrated an early version of their display, which was transparent enough to show a map without obscuring the road ahead.)