viitehelm

Viitehelm, literally “reference helmet” in Finnish, is a concept used in speculative design and science fiction to describe a wearable augmented reality device that overlays real-time references, notes, and metadata onto the wearer's field of view. The term is not associated with a widely available real device but rather appears in discussions about future information systems and user interfaces.

Typical design envisions a lightweight helmet or helmet-like headset with a transparent visor, microdisplays, eye-tracking, sensors for location (GPS and inertial measurement) and vision, cameras, and a communication module. Software interprets contextual cues and queries to render anchors such as bibliographic references, project plans, safety guidelines, or historical notes, synchronized with external databases or local storage. Interaction methods often include voice commands, gesture control, and deliberate head movements.

Potential applications include field archaeology, journalism, education, and industrial training, enabling users to access linked information without interrupting their workflow. In fiction, viitehelm is used to explore questions of information overload, privacy, and the social implications of pervasive data overlays.

In real-world discussions, viitehelm is described as a hypothetical device rather than a current product. Early proposals have appeared in design journals and academic forums since the 2010s, contributing to debates on wearable information systems. Critics highlight concerns about cognitive load, safety, data provenance, and ethical use.

Etymology: viite means reference or citation, helm means helmet. Related topics include augmented reality headsets, wearable computing, and heads-up displays.