BMW has introduced ConnectedRide smart glasses, a bold step in the automotive world toward blending real time vehicle data with augmented reality. The device projects a concise stream of driving information into the wearer’s right lens, showing speed, gear position, navigation cues, and other essential parameters. This glanceable display is designed to keep eyes closer to the road while delivering critical data at a quick glance. The goal is for the AR overlay to feel natural and unobtrusive, enabling focus on driving rather than data collection.
Users can customize how information appears. The projection’s position and brightness adapt to individual preferences and changing lighting conditions, ensuring readability whether sunlight is intense or a dim cabin. The glasses connect wirelessly to a smartphone via Bluetooth and sync with the BMW Motorrad Connected app. This integration broadens capabilities to include GPS navigation, music playback, incoming calls, and messages, adding hands free convenience for both driving and riding experiences.
ConnectedRide is engineered for comfort and compatibility with various helmet styles. It comes in two body sizes and includes two lens sets with different transparency levels, letting riders and drivers select the level of AR augmentation that best suits their vision. The lenses offer ultraviolet protection and can be tuned to diopter requirements, helping reduce eye fatigue on long journeys.
Power is supplied by a built in battery that can run up to ten hours on a single charge. Recharging is via USB, making it straightforward to top up during long trips or between rides. The device is designed to operate across a wide temperature range, roughly minus 10 to plus 50 degrees Celsius, ensuring reliability in both cold climates and hot environments.
Listed at a premium price point, ConnectedRide positions itself in the higher end of wearable tech for automotive applications. The cost reflects its combined focus on vehicle integration, AR functionality, and compatibility with both car and motorcycle contexts. As a broader market reference, augmented reality devices vary widely by region, with positionings and pricing reflecting local demand and economic conditions across markets today.
Overall, ConnectedRide represents a forward looking effort to merge real time vehicle data with wearable technology. It highlights how AR can complement traditional dashboards, offering intuitive, glance based information while preserving driver attention and comfort across different environments and use cases.