Samsung develops Smart Windshield to stop young Italians checking their phones while riding scooters

The concept product could save lives if it ever makes it to market

The scooter's head-up display gives directions and message alerts (Samsung)

Samsung is promising a "revolution for motorobike riders" with its 'smart windshield', a head-up display that can display vital information while on the road.

The product has been developed by Samsung and Yamaha's Italian subsidiaries, and is demonstrated in a slick video showing a young man speeding around on a moped.

The display connects to a Samsung smartphone, and projects vital information like rough directions, incoming calls and text alerts on a wide screen at the bottom of the bike's windshield. Users can then choose to stop and answer, reject the call, or send a pre-set text message telling the caller they're driving.

The idea behind the windshield is to cut down on the distraction that comes with using a mobile while riding a scooter. According to Yamaha Italy, 24 per cent of 18-24-year-olds in the country have used their phones while driving, and around six per cent of them regularly ride scooters.

A purpose-built hands-free device would probably go down pretty well, and could save lives. Obviously it's best not to use electronics at all while driving, but Samsung's goal is probably more realistic.

There's no news on when (or even if) Samsung is considering releasing the device, but the advert states it's just a concept for the time being.

Head-up displays have been available in some bike helmets for a while, but they can be expensive and distracting. A cheap and easily-installed system in the bike's windscreen could be a good solution.