Shoei Unveils “Smart” Helmet with Augmented Reality

Japanese helmet manufacturer Shoei has introduced the GT-Air 3 Smart, developed in collaboration with French company EyeLights. It’s the first fully integrated helmet with augmented reality.

The standout feature is a nano-OLED projector built directly into the visor. It displays navigation, speed data, alerts, and radar warnings as if a virtual screen is floating about 10 feet in front of the rider’s eyes. This means riders no longer have to glance down at the instrument panel or smartphone — essential information is always within the line of sight.

One of the biggest challenges for such systems has been readability in bright sunlight. EyeLights claims its new technology maintains perfect visibility even in direct sunlight. The developers also state that rider reaction times improve by 32%.

The GT-Air 3 Smart isn’t just about the AR display. It also includes a full communication system: built-in speakers, a noise-canceling microphone, and a universal connectivity module that allows pairing with nearly any device and communication with other riders. The helmet supports voice assistants and works both online and offline.

All electronics, from the battery to the wiring, are fully integrated inside the shell, so there are no external modules or protruding elements. A single charge provides up to 10 hours of use.

Sales will begin next June, with preorders already open.

The “smart” version is priced at $1,199 — roughly double the cost of the standard GT-Air 3.