Good Thinking

'Nike' Hindsight concept glasses increase peripheral vision

'Nike' Hindsight concept glasses increase peripheral vision
City cyclists could benefit from the extended peripheral vision provided by the Nike Hindsight glasses
City cyclists could benefit from the extended peripheral vision provided by the Nike Hindsight glasses
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City cyclists could benefit from the extended peripheral vision provided by the Nike Hindsight glasses
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City cyclists could benefit from the extended peripheral vision provided by the Nike Hindsight glasses
The Nike Hindsight glasses let you catch more out of the corner of your eye
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The Nike Hindsight glasses let you catch more out of the corner of your eye
The Nike Hindsight glasses integrate a Fresnel lens into a standard 9-base lens
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The Nike Hindsight glasses integrate a Fresnel lens into a standard 9-base lens
The Nike Hindsight glasses explained
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The Nike Hindsight glasses explained
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Cyclists aren’t always very visible to motorists, which is one of the reasons they need to be super vigilant when dealing with city traffic. As the saying goes, you need "eyes in the back of your head". To that end designer Billy May has come up with a concept design for cycling glasses that extend a rider’s peripheral vision by up to 25 percent on each side.

The Nike Hindsight glasses design uses Fresnel lenses, which were originally developed for lighthouses and provide a wide aperture and short focal length. Although the lenses reduce image quality, the idea is that since they are located only on the sides of the glasses, little clarity is lost in the process as the eye only detects motion in that area.

May designed the glasses for cyclists, but the design could be handy in a wide range of activities where detecting motion beyond the usual 180 degrees would prove advantageous. Anyone from marathon runners to track and field athletes, or even someone wanting to keep an eye on that prankster in the office could benefit from a few extra seconds of warning the glasses afford.

The design is only a concept and May, despite using the Nike name and logo, says the concept isn’t affiliated with Nike in any way, but we think the idea is definitely interesting enough for Nike, or other manufacturers, to take a look at. We'd also have to say the design is a tad cooler than previous efforts we've seen at glasses that allow you to see behind you.

Via Bike Radar.

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8 comments
8 comments
windykites
I think Mr. May ought to be careful using the Nike name and logo to promote his product, presumably without permission. The expression: \"Sue me!\" comes to mind. It\'s a bit like designing a car and calling it a Rolls Royce
EinSascha
I think Mr. May just knows the game. He will get press coverage for his brazen behavior. He will definitively get attention from Nike - more than he could get as the 56th petitioner in line. If things go really south, he\'ll sign a cease-and-desist letter - and get even more press coverage. All in all it\'ll cost him less, than a real marketing campaign.
Back to the glasses: I\'d like to use those. But even normal Bike-Glasses are harshly overpriced plastic-pieces, that seldomly last 2 seasons. I\'d guess these Hindsight-Glasses would be priced 150€ + some random Nike-charge. So I\'ll keep craning my neck to stay alive.
Gordon McShean
My peripheral vision is severely restricted, (permanently) on the right side (both eyes!) due to the effect of a stroke. I have no intention of getting back on a bike (I loved cycling) or even a disability scooter (I tried that and got bowled by someone who had full sight), but would be most interested in using this generally; it could speed up my supermarket searches. Would it help me?
Vanessa
These glasses are really cool and stylish. I believe that to ensure maximum safety on the road - is very important. Indeed, while driving on a bicycle, a person is subjected to a huge number of dangers. I have a pair of Bvlgari glasses, but I'll be happy to have this one too.
Eddie Valdez
Cool idea but like the commenter above said drop the Nike name. This would be a cool idea for motorcycles as well if you can get a helmet brand behind it.
bergamot69
@Gordon mcShean,
Fresnel lenses won't increase your peripheral vision for use in a supermarket, as Fresnels are basically 'stepped' lenses which were originally used for lighthouses but are most commonly used for theatre lighting (or similar) as they throw out a much broader 'beam' of light than a spotlight, so are used for general scene illumination.
The images you are likely to see through these lenses will most probably be very broken up and distorted- so if you have a vehicle bearing down on you (in your peripheral vision) you probably won't be able to see what it is, or even how near, without turning your head. For supermarket use it will me no use at all, unless the shelves are packed with items of very contrasting colours in demarkated areas. So no use for identifying your favourite type of pasta!
So possibly of limited use to cyclists only, but most likely very distracting, as you'll have to keep turning your head to confirm what you see through the fresnel section of the lenses- which in itself may distract you from more urgent things you need to keep your eyes upon.
Jess Tura
Any update on this?
This could be the start for a great help for people suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Steve Heathcote
Where can I order these please ?