British electric motorcycle builder Arc is ready to release its first ten limited-edition Vector Angel Edition (AE) prototypes. Ten lucky recipients will participate in a once-in-a-lifetime AE Program to develop the bike's proprietary Arc HMI (human-machine interface) System that connects the rider to the motorcycle and its environment using a hi-tech helmet and riding gear.

The Arc HMI System comprises the Arc Zenith helmet and the Arc Origin armor-jacket. The helmet is unlike conventional helmets, as it has Wi-Fi connectivity, voice activation, and a built-in heads-up display showing speed, sat-nav, and data from the helmet’s rearview camera. Zenith even acts as a wireless key and will activate the keyless start feature as you sit.

The second component of Vector's HMI is the Arc Origin, which is an armored riding jacket bespoke to each Vector client and woven with haptic sensors to provide subtle notifications — such as vibrating on the shoulder area to alert the rider of incoming vehicles or other road hazards. The wireless jacket can operate for up to two hours before running out of juice.

Once the 10 customers receive their fully-personalized Vector Angel Edition electric motorcycles, each will undergo a testing program on racetracks before Arc upgrades each AE with beta versions of the HMI for the clients to test on public roads; the entire program will take two years. Meanwhile, Arc will begin offering the HMI system across its motorcycle lineup.

Vector's look is an eclectic mixture of space-age materials: a carbon composite architecture, a battery module monocoque, carbon swing arms suspended by Ohlins dampers, and Brembo brakes. It can go from zero to 60 mph in less than 3.1 seconds, has a 120 mph top speed, and has 16.8 kWh battery packs that allow up to 200 city miles and 120 highway miles.