We live in a “smart” age. Tech-laden bracelets can tell us how many calories we’ve burned walking, cars can determine when we’re tired and need to pull over for a break, and TV recording devices can more or less accurately judge which shows we’d like to watch based on what we’ve already viewed.
Samsung has developed a developmental version of the smart windshield. It can be paired with a smartphone through a dedicated app and a WiFi connection. Once connected, a screen below the actual windshield can display things such as the next turn to take in a route to an input destination and the name of a person calling. A rider can even send out an automatic text message explaining to a caller that he or she will contact them once they’re done riding.
The fact that the Smart Windshield Concept would introduce a screen that a motorcyclist would have to look down at while on the move presents its obvious dangers. However, the windshield itself would remain clear of distracting information…IF this made it to production as-is. At this point, that doesn’t look as if it’s going to happen.
What do you all think? Do you like the idea of the Samsung Smart Windshield Concept or do you think it would create more hazards than convenience?
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
