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helmet posts

In Japan, nerds control girls with joysticks

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 23rd 2009 at 4:43AM

For some of you, like this guy (look at his face!), this is a dream come true, no questions asked. The rest will be wondering what the hell is going on here. See, that bicycle helmet affixed with what looks like a robotic crab is a not so subtle, ear tugging navigational device that could ultimately benefit the sight-impaired or anyone, really -- it pulls on the left ear to direct the wearer to the left, on the right to go right. Simple. Granted, it looks ridiculous now, but imagine it miniaturized under a tin-foil helmet and communicating with a hands- and eyes-free GPS navigational system. You've just seen the future, how does it feel?

Gallery: In Japan, nerds control girls with joysticks

Fuseproject commissioned by the City of New York to make bike helmets look less bad

by Laura June posted Aug 29th 2009 at 8:27AM

In cities like New York, where bikers ride right alongside heavy traffic, bike helmets are a must. Trouble is, apparently plenty of riders don't like wearing them because of vanity -- most bike helmets aren't exactly attractive, if you haven't noticed. Well, the City of New York's commissioned Projectfuse helmets -- that combine safety with an attempt at decent stylings. The helmets feature a two-fold design, with an inner protective polystyrene, which is then covered with a customizable soft fabric that attaches with straps. No, you cannot buy them yet, and we don't know anything about pricing or availability yet, but we do know that you can score one for free -- yes, free -- at various events around the city. Let us know if you snag one!

[Via Wired]

Canon 5D Mark II helmet mount attracts Hollywood's attention

by Donald Melanson posted Jul 20th 2009 at 4:29PM

Details are a bit light on this one, but the Planet 5D blog has received an email from the director of photography on 24, who himself received an email from the DP of Dollhouse, who passed on a video of a Canon 5D Mark II helmet mount built by the folks at Panavision. The rig was apparently designed specifically for use in fight scenes and other instances where a very close camera point-of-view is beneficial, and of course for "parachute drops and the like." The story also goes that the mount might have actually been used on Iron Man, although that's yet to be confirmed. Hit up the read link below to check out the video for yourself, although it unfortunately doesn't actually include any sample footage taken with the rig.

ATC3K action cam beautifully retrofitted into ski goggles

by Darren Murph posted May 19th 2009 at 1:08PM

Remember Oregon Scientific's ATC3K digital action camera? Yeah, it's back and better than ever. Over at Biobug, one rather talented modder has decided to integrate said device into his UVEX ski goggles, and the result is nothing short of breathtaking. All that was required was a soldering iron, some cabling, a Dremel cutting tool, an ATC3K camera, AA battery box and a small plastic case. Oh, and time -- lots and lots of spare time. Hit the read link for a pictorial trip down assembly lane, and feel free to create your own for this winter's best-ever YouTube vids.

TN Games HTX Helmet lets you feel those headshots

by Darren Murph posted Dec 8th 2008 at 4:58PM

Impact gear isn't exactly the hottest peripheral out there for game consoles, but TN Games is apparently finding plenty of hardcore gamers willing to splurge on its FPS Vest. Now, the outfit is finally getting official with its HTX Helmet, which we first heard about as the year began. Utilizing the company's 3rd Space technology, it's designed to be used in conjunction with the 3rd Space Gaming Vest and will enable wearers' to feel blows to the head when fired upon. We're talking bullets whizzing by, impacts of shots -- the works. If, for some incredibly odd reason, that sounds like your idea of fun, be on the lookout for a 2009 release.

[Via Engadget Chinese, thanks Sarah]

"Thought helmets" could enable voiceless troop communication

by Darren Murph posted Sep 22nd 2008 at 9:06AM

This won't mark the first time the US government has looked into other means for helping soldiers communicate on the battlefield, but it's one of the first instances where vocal cords aren't even necessary. The US Army has recently awarded a $4 million contract to a coalition of scientists, all of which will soon start developing a "thought helmet" to enable voiceless, secure communication between comrades. In theory, at least, the helmet will boast a litany of sensors that will hopefully "lead to direct mental control of military systems by thought alone." According to Dr. Elmar Schmoozer, the Army neuroscience overseeing the program, the system will be like "radio without a microphone." Oh, and don't think for a second that they aren't considering civilian applications as well -- passing along jokes on the boss via telekinesis? Yes, please.

[Via Slashdot]

AKE's BlueCom 102 pocket repeater keeps bikers in sync

by Darren Murph posted Feb 15th 2008 at 9:25AM

There's really nothing worse than knowing some helpless soul is grappling on to you with absolutely no way to join you in an incoming call from that weird guy from CIS 430. Okay, so maybe that's a stretch, but AKE is looking to solve said quandary by offering up its BlueCom 102 pocket repeater. Essentially, this unit enables two motorcycle helmets to communicate with each other via Bluetooth, and of course, any BT-enabled handset can be mixed in, too. Sadly, a price for the setup has yet to be disclosed, but it does appear as if the repeater itself will be sold separately or bundled in with a pair of AKE Bluetooth helmets in the not-too-distant future. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via MotorBiker]

GPS-enabled helmet calls for help post-accident

by Darren Murph posted Feb 11th 2008 at 2:09AM

We've seen some pretty well equipped helmets in our day, but UMass Amherst student Brycen Spencer seems a touch more interested in safety advancements than integrated speakers. His concoction, dubbed the Wireless Impact Guardian (WIG), looks like your average helmet at first glance, but a quick look inside reveals electronics designed to sense an impact, judge if you're conscious and dial for help if necessary. Essentially, an alarm is triggered upon impact, and if you're not cohesive enough to disable it after 60 seconds, it automatically rings up 911 and beams out your location via GPS so that medical personnel can get moving. Currently, the device is quite a ways from going commercial, but considering that Mr. Spencer has already invested in a provisional patent, we'd say it's well on its way.

[Via textually]

Researchers say helmet could help reverse effects of Alzheimer's

by Donald Melanson posted Jan 25th 2008 at 4:08PM

It may look like something that emerged from a dorm room laboratory, but a team of apparently professional researchers say that the helmet pictured above could one day be used to treat patients with Alzheimer's, and potentially even reverse some of the effects of the disease. That's supposedly possible by bathing the individual's brain in infra-red light for about ten minutes a day, a process that has reportedly been shown to reverse memory loss in mice. Not surprisingly, however, we're still quite a ways from seeing any potential results on humans, with the first tests (which will rely solely on the natural levels of infra-red that occur in sunlight) only set to get underway this summer.

[Via Metafilter]

Voz Sports unveils Bluetooth Frequency watch, Multy LYNK helmet

by Darren Murph posted Jan 23rd 2008 at 10:46AM

Bluetooth watches and Bluetooth helmets -- been there, done that on both points. Still, Voz Sports is keeping our attention with its attention to detail on the Multy LYNK helmet and Sports Frequency wristwatch (shown after the jump). As for the latter, you can expect a black (2GB) or red (1GB) face, Bluetooth v1.2, a waterproof casing, included earbuds and USB 2.0 connectivity. Checking out the headgear, you'll likely appreciate the "voice-activated, wireless two-way radio communication via 14 FRS channels with 38 privacy codes," Bluetooth v1.2, its NOAA weather receiver, noise-canceling microphone, waterproof stereo speakers and AA battery operation. Each device is set to ship on April 1 (no joke!) for $249.95 to $299.95 and $299.95, respectively.

Read - Sports Frequency watch [Via Be Sportier]
Read - Multy LYNK helmet [Via Be Sportier]

Continue reading Voz Sports unveils Bluetooth Frequency watch, Multy LYNK helmet

Riddell starts shipping concussion-monitoring football helmets

by Nilay Patel posted Dec 18th 2007 at 8:23PM

We've seen a couple helmet systems that monitor impacts -- including prototype football helmets -- but Riddell is bringing the tech to market with the Revolution IQ HITS (Head Impact Telemetry System) helmet, which contains a system of sensors that stores data about the last 100 impacts, which can later be wirelessly transmitted to a laptop for analysis. Up to six $999 helmets can be linked to each $299 HITS receiver, and players and trainers can access data via a web app for later evaluation. The helmet is shipping now, and apparently the University of Missouri and several other NCAA schools have already placed orders.

[Via Technology Review]

New helmet allows fighter pilots to peer through the jet

by Darren Murph posted Nov 10th 2007 at 12:13PM

No, the headgear in the photo above wasn't some unused prototype created for The Terminator; rather, it's a snazzy new helmet designed to give fighter pilots a better look at their surroundings. Within the tinted faceplate are two projectors which sync up with plane-mounted cameras and display images from the outside for the pilot to view. Essentially, this enables the operator to view high-resolution images (yes, even at night) of areas previously imperceptible without a warplane constructed entirely of plexiglass, and onboard sensors make sure that the imagery reflects exactly where the pilot is looking at any given moment. Furthermore, computerized systems can even feed in "essential flight and combat data on to the display," as well as target symbols of friendlies / enemies. The new visual system is apparently just one amenity on the oh-so-sophisticated Joint Strike Fighter, which the British are planning to pay £66 million ($139 million) apiece for after it hits the production line.

[Via Switched]

Parrot launches the SK 4000 Bluetooth motorcycle headset

by Joshua Topolsky posted Oct 10th 2007 at 7:52PM

The next time you're heading down the highway, Easy Rider-style, looking for adventure and what-not, you may also want to remain in touch with the less rebellious and not-so-tattooed outside world. Luckily, the good folks at Parrot have come to your aid with the SK 4000 -- a Bluetooth headset meant for use with motorcycle helmets -- which features voice recognition, an FM RDS stereo, text to speech, A2DP support, 10 hours of battery life (600 on standby), and a handlebar-mounted RF remote control. Sure, you'll have to use The Man's money to get one, but once you do, you'll be free to wave your freak-flag wherever and whenever you choose... as long as you get permission from your wife. Available before the end of the year, €199 (or around $282).

[Via Daily Motorcycle News]

Sensor-laden helmets could measure shock from explosions

by Darren Murph posted Sep 19th 2007 at 10:32AM

While we've seen lots of research revolve around battlefield-ready vests, new sensor-studded helmets could be headed to Iraq in order to "measure the shock from explosive devices." Due to mounting concern and a thirst for knowledge about traumatic brain injury (TBI), the US Army awarded Simbex -- the same company involved with Virginia Tech's data gathering helmets -- a contract to further develop technology for use in combat headgear. Furthermore, the firm hopes to "develop an automatic data-collation system" that could potentially relay information to bases or medics via RFID. It was noted, too, that the Army plans on testing Simbex's design along with "several alternative technologies," and the method that proves most useful could be deployed "as early as December of this year."

Benchmark Helmets intros Bluetooth headsets for bikers

by Darren Murph posted Sep 13th 2007 at 9:22AM

We've certainly seen our fair share of nicely-equipped motorcycle helmets, but Benchmark Helmets is looking to spruce up your everyday noggin protector rather than forcing you to buy a whole new one. Marketed towards "scooter and motorcycle enthusiasts," the Camos lineup includes two new headsets that utilize Bluetooth 2.0 and support A2DP / handsfree profiles. Additionally, both tout waterproof housings and connectors, directional microphones with noise canceling technology, stereo speakers, and 10-hours of talk time (150-hours in standby). The BHS-500 is set to land for $149, while the $199 BHS-600 ups the ante by allowing users to pair up another BHS-600 for a "complete wireless intercom system."

[Thanks, Spencer]