Running head: RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1

Hyper Tint Visor: An Innovative Method for Improving the Visibility of Motorcyclists
Anoush Siddiqui, Alvyn Baah, and Daniel Breazeal

Dr. Gutierrez
Governor's School @ Innovation Park
Intro to Research I
12/11/2023

Table of Contents
RESEARCH PROPOSAL 2

Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 2
Background and context ......................................................................................................... 3
Problem statement .................................................................................................................. 3
Research questions ................................................................................................................. 3
Relevance and importance of the research ............................................................................. 3
Literature review ........................................................................................................................ 3
Key concepts, theories and studies ......................................................................................... 4
Key debates and controversies ............................................................................................... 4
Gaps in existing knowledge .................................................................................................... 4
Research design and methods .................................................................................................... 4
Aims and objectives................................................................................................................ 4
Methods and sources .............................................................................................................. 5
Practicalities and potential obstacles ...................................................................................... 5
Implications and contributions to knowledge ............................................................................ 5
Practical implications ............................................................................................................. 6
Theoretical implications ......................................................................................................... 6
Reference list ............................................................................................................................. 6

Introduction
RESEARCH PROPOSAL 3

Background and Context

In the dynamic landscape of road safety, motorcycle riders face a persistent challenge:
compromised visibility due to sunlight and glare. As the popularity of motorcycles rises, the
demand for creative and innovative solutions to reduce accidents and ensure rider safety rises.
The Hyper Tint Visor project is an effort in this context, aiming to transform motorcycle
safety by incorporating electrochromic technology into the conventional helmet visor.
Problem Statement
While motorcycle helmets safety is a fundamental safety component, they often don’t
effectively handle visibility issues caused by varying light conditions. Current solutions on
the market have not been able to utilize adaptive shading technologies, leaving more room for
improved safety features. Our goal is to improve the motorcycle visor, by addressing its issue
of adapting to different light frequencies, leading to minimal visibility and an increased risk
of accidents. What is needed, is a smart visor that can automatically adapt to changing light
conditions.

Research Questions
1. How can we successfully incorporate electrochromic technology into a motorcycle
visor to improve rider visibility?
2. What are the optimal shading levels needed to reduce sunlight and glare while
maintaining overall visibility?

Relevance and Importance of the Research

This research is crucial for motorcycle safety and adaptive systems. The Hyper Tint Visor
aims to overcome current helmet visor limitations, offering new insights into the optimization
of rider visibility, thereby reducing the risk of accidents. This is conspicuously relevant to
motorcycle helmet manufacturers, safety regulators, and riders seeking an improved safety
standard.
The significance of this research lies in its potential to redefine motorcycle safety standards,
creating a safer and more secure riding experience for a growing global community of riders.
The Hyper Tint Visor introduces a solution that intelligently adapts to varying light
conditions, promising an impact on road safety.

Literature review
RESEARCH PROPOSAL 4

Key Concepts, Theories and Studies

Researching anti-glare solutions in high-end cars lays the foundation for our project. By
leveraging driver’s eyes tracking systems, light intensity sensors, and head-up displays, this
approach addresses discomfort caused by glare. The proposed solution, creating a dark spot
on the windshield, underscores the importance of detecting sunlight intensity and
incorporating smart glass or transparent displays. This concept is essential for our project,
emphasizing the need to protect the entire visor from glare while following traffic safety
regulations.
Key Debates and Controversies
Our project goes into debates surrounding the effectiveness of electrochromic windows
(ECWs) in improving building energy efficiency. By evaluating their impact in different
climate zones, the study concludes that ECWs can reduce cooling and heating loads,
improving comfort. This topic addresses the ongoing debates about the viability of ECWs.
Our project aligns with this, as it aims to enhance driver visibility by tinting specific visor
areas affected by sunlight or glare using electrochromic technology.
Gaps in Existing Knowledge
Investigating solid-state multilayer structures for electrochromic windows provides insights
into the challenges and details of this technology. By evaluating materials for each layer, the
paper emphasizes the need for an electrochemically balanced system. This information is
pivotal for our project, as it offers a thorough look at electrochromic window technology and
helps us understand electrochromic window technology and its materials, design, and
operational mechanisms.

Research design and methods

RESEARCH PROPOSAL 5

Research design
The research design for the Hyper Tint Visor project is mainly quantitative, with the goal of
evaluation how well electrochromic technology improves driver visibility. Prioritizing
original data collection, the research relies on real-time insights from experiments and tests
conducted on electrochromic visor prototypes. Using an experimental research design, the
project systematically tests visor performance under varying light conditions to measure its
impact on driver visibility.
Methods and Sources
Primary tools include a lux meter, Arduino, light sensor modules, and electrochromic film,
which gathers objective data on the visor’s performance. Data collection occurs at different
times of the day of the day and environmental conditions, ensuring a comprehensive dataset.
Analysis incorporates the quantitative statistical analysis of prototype experimental data.

Practical Considerations
Practical Considerations includes the 7–8-month timeline allowing time for planning,
prototyping, and testing. An anticipated challenge lies in managing sensors to respond
effectively to both sunlight and headlights simultaneously without causing flickering tint
adjustments. To tackle this, we are splitting the sensors into two groups. One group is
dedicated to detecting sunlight, while the other group exclusively responds to nighttime light.
This approach ensures optimized tint adjustments for specific situations, improving both the
visor’s performance and the user’s experience.

Implications and contributions to knowledge

RESEARCH PROPOSAL 6

Practical Implications
The Hyper Tint Visor project has important practical implications as it has the potential to
revolutionize motorcycle safety by aiming the ongoing issue of reduces visibility caused by
sunlight and glare. If successful, implementation of the Hyper Tint Visor could lead to
permanent changes in the future of helmet designs and greatly improve road safety for
motorcycle riders. The findings can enhance the design of safety gear and overall change the
aspect of protection and safety standards for motorcycle enthusiasts.

Theoretical Implications
From a theoretical perspective, the project advances the field of adaptive shading
technologies in motorcycle visors. By incorporating electrochromic technology, it challenges
current ideas about the limitations of regular helmet visors. The theoretical impact extends to
how smart visors can independently adjust to varying light conditions, this offers valuable
insight for future research in wearable technology and safety equipment. The project’s
success could reinforce existing theories about helmet design and inspire in depth solutions
for enhancing rider visibility.

References
RESEARCH PROPOSAL 7

Ungureanu, Miclea, R.-C., Korodi, A., & Silea, I. (2020). A Novel Approach against Sun

Glare to Enhance Driver Safety. Applied Sciences, 10(9), 3032–.

https://doi.org/10.3390/app10093032

T., Norton, P., Seward, G., & Wong, K. K. (1986). Recent research related to the

development of electrochromic windows. Solar Energy Materials, 14(3), 195–203.

https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-1633(86)90046-8

Park, Hong, J., Choi, E. J., Choi, Y. J., Lee, C., & Moon, J. W. (2019). Improvement in

Energy Performance of Building Envelope Incorporating Electrochromic Windows

(ECWs). Energies (Basel), 12(6), 1181–. https://doi.org/10.3390/en12061181