Smart mobility start-up THOWRA, based in Portugal, has officially unveiled Firefly — a hands-free, helmet-mounted LED signalling system — now live on Indiegogo. Aimed at cyclists, e-scooter users, and other light mobility riders, Firefly lets you indicate turns or stops with just a tilt of your head.
The concept stems from a personal motivation. “We didn’t feel comfortable letting our kids bike to school,” shares Artur Matos, THOWRA’s CEO. “That’s what inspired us to build something that would make riders of all ages feel safer, more visible, and more in control in traffic.”
Built with a flexible yet durable polyethylene shell, Firefly is light to wear and designed to absorb impact if needed. What really sets it apart is the technology inside — LED indicators, motion sensors, and built-in buzzers all work together to instantly react to how the rider moves, without the need to press buttons or take a hand off the handlebars.
The real game-changer? It’s completely hands-free. Want to turn left? Just tilt your head that way. Need to signal a stop? Tilt your head back. Firefly reads your intentions and lights up accordingly, keeping your ride smooth and your hands exactly where they need to be — in control.
Through the Firefly app, users can also:
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Customise how sensitive the motion detection is
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Track journeys and view riding stats
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Enable social and group riding options
Firefly is incredibly easy to install and works with more than 90% of helmets, thanks to its strong adhesive mount. Weighing only 100 grams and charged magnetically, it delivers up to eight hours of use on a full charge.
Now open for backers on Indiegogo, early supporters can snap up limited discounted offers and exclusive campaign rewards. THOWRA is using the crowdfunding round to support its first full production — bringing this clever bit of tech to cyclists throughout Europe and beyond.
Firefly is more than just a light — it’s a smarter, safer way to navigate the city.
Check it out here: https://bit.ly/45hbQOr
