Tanizawa's U-met first responder helmets belong on the Deathstar

We can't imagine the day when it'l actually be cool to wear a helmetcam, but at least now looking like a total dork can serve a noble purpose. The U-met, by Japanese safety equipment manufacturer Tanizawa, is designed to assist first responders to accidents and emergencies in coordinating their efforts and documenting the scene. One variation of the helmet uses a QVGA camera, GPS tracker, and FOMA cell radio to transmit images and location data from emergency workers to a central station every 30 seconds, while the other uses a series of motors to vibrate your noggin when it senses potential dangers. The prototype U-met weighs in at a hefty 2 pounds right now, but Tanizawa says it'll get down to about a half-pound for mass-production -- hopefully they'll do something about those stormtrooper trainee looks, too.

[Via Slashphone]

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 18th 2007 10:11PM]

That helmet looks like something straight out of Spaceballs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceballs

[CharlieX @ Jul 18th 2007 10:17PM]

My exacts thoughts. "How many a--holes do we have on this ship!?"

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jul 18th 2007 10:23PM]

This is Engadget, sir there are plenty of Major A-holes on board.

[Alex Moyler @ Jul 19th 2007 7:13AM]

Yo!

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 18th 2007 10:23PM]

Maybe that whole "saving lives" thing kinda precludes that whole "looking cool" thing in this context?

At least for most of the folks on the planet, but hey look as cool as you like in your coffin when they can't find you to spare themselves the "dorkiness".

[Alvin @ Jul 18th 2007 11:20PM]

Helmet-mounted camera, or helmet-mounted HOME THEATRE PROJECTOR? You decide

;-)

[Paul @ Jul 19th 2007 12:16AM]

Am I the only one wondering if that chick is a dummy or a human?

maybe both?

[nikster @ Jul 19th 2007 1:18AM]

Granted, Stormtrooper-trainee looks are bad. Stormtrooper-looks on the other hand are good.. maybe add a respirator and some IR shades?

[John Doe @ Jul 19th 2007 1:42AM]

The amount of equipment listed really doesn't explain the size of that thing. GPS? A traditional unit is about the size of a ring box sliced in half. QVGA camera? Size of 3-4 CF cards stacked together. Cell Radio? Gah whatever. Add a high capacity battery and a few circuit boards with the various controlling hardware. (Plus audio etc.) Overall this thing shouldn't be any bigger then an iPhone. Sorry sorry. I know I invoked the name that shall not be spoken. Really though. There must be something else in there. Possibly a heavy duty transmitter or something, because I'd expect more (Actually less in size) from a Japanese company.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 19th 2007 9:34AM]

Making stuff that does those jobs is cheaper, but building it into a helmet that can survive the conditions, be easy to use and maintain and so forth is more costly.

[OddManOut @ Jul 19th 2007 12:43PM]

"Ah...we're seeing some explosives damage...probably from seismic survey charges. You readin' this ?"

[Alex Friedman @ Sep 14th 2007 7:27PM]

That's cool.