Lumos Helmet

Lumos Helmet, legally known as Lumen Labs Inc., is a manufacturer of smart bicycle helmets designed to enhance rider safety and visibility. The company was founded in 2015 by Eu-wen Ding and Jeff Haoran Chen. The idea originated from Ding's personal experience as an MBA student at Harvard, where he felt unsafe cycling at night due to poor visibility. This led him to create a prototype helmet with integrated lights. He partnered with Chen, then an engineering exchange student at Harvard from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, to develop the concept further. Their journey gained momentum after winning a hardware-based hackathon at MIT with an early prototype.

Lumos operates in the urban mobility and cycling accessories market, catering to commuters, e-bike riders, and recreational cyclists who prioritize safety. Its business model is direct-to-consumer, primarily through its website and major online retailers like Amazon, complemented by strategic retail partnerships. A significant milestone was becoming the first helmet brand to be sold in Apple Stores globally in 2019, a partnership that also included integrating Apple Watch gesture controls to activate turn signals. The company's revenue is generated through the sale of its helmets and a growing range of accessories like smart bike lights and remotes. Lumos has consistently utilized crowdfunding platforms to launch new products, starting with its first Kickstarter campaign in 2015 for the Lumos Kickstart, which raised over $800,000, far exceeding its $125,000 goal. Subsequent campaigns for models like the Lumos Ultra also broke funding records.

The company's core products are helmets featuring integrated, high-visibility LED lights that provide 360-degree coverage. Key features include front headlights, rear lights, and animated turn signals controlled by a wireless handlebar-mounted remote or an Apple Watch. A built-in accelerometer automatically activates brake lights when the cyclist decelerates. The helmets are rechargeable via USB, with a battery life designed to last approximately a week with average daily use. The product line includes various models tailored to different needs, such as the original Kickstart, the Matrix with a customizable LED panel, and the lighter Ultra, which became the most-funded cycling product on Kickstarter. Some models offer MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) for enhanced safety and features like retractable eye shields for e-bike riders.

Keywords: smart helmet, bicycle safety, LED helmet, urban cycling, commuter gear, bike accessories, wearable technology, Jeff Chen, Eu-wen Ding, Kickstarter, cycling visibility, integrated lights, turn signal helmet, brake light helmet, e-bike helmet, Lumos Ultra, Lumos Kickstart, micromobility safety, connected helmet, cycling technology, road safety, Apple Watch integration, direct-to-consumer, urban mobility, rideable tech