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Volvo's bike helmet concept alerts riders and drivers to each other
You know what will go perfectly with those futuristic rocket-powered, heartrate-monitoring bikes? This smart helmet that Volvo wants to create. It's a two-way system that works by uploading both cyclists' and drivers' locations to Volvo's cloud. While a connected car's in-dash system makes that possible, the helmet needs to be linked to a bike app like Strava to do so. Bicyclists can then be warned that there's a car coming their way or crossing their path by warning lights built into the helmet.
LifeBeam's heart-rate monitoring cycling helmet is ready for your commute
The last time that we covered LifeBeam, it was to tell you about the defense company's heart-rate monitoring cycle helmet that went up for pre-order on Indiegogo. More than a year later, and the second generation of the headgear is now ready for you to buy. This time around, the LifeBeam Helmet comes with a better sensor that cribs tech from the company's military aerospace systems that are used to monitor fighter pilots and special operations forces. The new hardware not only offers more accurate data, but also promises to vastly improve battery life to the point where it can be used several times in a month before you'll need to recharge. Other tweaks include the addition of Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+, while the helmet's shape has been redesigned to better fit your head. It's available from the company right now, setting you back $200, complete with a limited-edition carbon carry case.
Airbus' helmet display concept would take your mind off your flight
If you've ever been on a long flight, you've probably wanted to tune out your fellow passengers -- and plugging in some headphones is only going to do so much. If Airbus ever brings a recently patented helmet display to market, though, you may never have to put up with mid-air distractions again. The headrest-mounted wearable would combine headphones with visor-projected video, producing "sensorial isolation" while you're watching movies, listening to music or playing games. It could even beam a virtual keyboard on to the tray or seat back, so you wouldn't need controllers that take up your already limited space.
Skully's Android-powered smart motorcycle helmet goes up for pre-order
If you take your motorbike rides seriously enough to want a smart heads-up display in your helmet, you can now do something about it. Skully has just launched a crowdfunding campaign for its Android-powered head protector, now named the AR-1; plunk down $1,399 and you should be one of the first to get the wearable when it ships in May 2015. That's both a lot of money and a long time to wait, but Skully is betting that you'll like the data you get while on the road. As promised, the helmet projects navigation, a rear camera view and riding info on your visor. Voice commands let you keep a grip on the handlebars, and smartphone pairing gets the headgear online. The price goes up to $1,499 if you wait until launch to make a purchase, so you may want to commit early if you're determined to augment your two-wheeled adventures.
New fighter pilot helmet delivers night vision without goggles
Fighter pilots have access to helmets with amazing abilities. However, they still have to strap on heavy night vision goggles to fly in the dark -- an all too literal pain in the neck. Much to aircrews' relief, BAE Systems wants to make that clunky headgear a distant memory. Its brand new Striker II helmet includes a night vision camera that projects its footage on to the visor's high-resolution display, giving the pilot a good look at the outside world without the need for extra equipment. The tech should be far more comfortable during lengthy missions, especially in sharp turns where G-forces make any added weight feel that much worse.
Future Army helmets make for cooler soldiers, terrified enemies
It's hard to look at the US Army's latest helmet and not think of Halo, but the design does serve a purpose beyond gaming chic. Its latest "soldier of the future" concept would not only protect grunts in high heat and humidity, but also shield them from chemical and biological agents. While much bulkier tech already exists for that, such a model would use a fan embedded directly into the filtration system to suck air from the side of the mask and blast it across the nose. Tests done on an M50 gas mask modified with the tech proved it to be just as effective as with bigger units, but more comfortable for GI's during intense drills. The design is just a render for now, but if the army is going to look to video games for design inspiration, we think they should go bigger.
Skully P-1 helmet packs a heads-up display, rear-facing camera and Android to keep motorcyclists safe
Motorcycle helmets are a simple safety measure -- they keep your noggin safe from objects and falls that would otherwise do it harm. But what if your helmet could help prevent you from getting into an accident in the first place? Marcus Weller, founder of Skully, asked just that question, and the answer he came up with is the P-1 helmet. It's a brain bucket that packs a 180-degree FOV rear-facing camera and a micro-controller running a customized version of Android to deliver navigation and video information to a custom-constructed HUD (similar to Google Glass). And, it takes voice commands so that riders can see where they're going or what's behind them, all in hands-free fashion. To provide such functionality, the P-1 has a fin mounted atop the DOT-approved helmet that houses the aforementioned hardware, plus GPS, Bluetooth, an accelerometer, gyro, compass and a rechargeable battery. The plan is for the P-1 to become available for purchase next spring in matte black or gloss white, and it'll be marketed as an ultra-premium helmet (translation: expect it to cost over $1,000). Skully is currently still in the process of developing apps for the thing, but there will be a handful of finely tuned software available at launch. We can say for sure that means the P-1 will provide wearers with navigation and the ability to view the camera feed, with perhaps an SOS function (should the helmet sense an accident) and other apps to come. The company will be opening up the platform so that third parties can code for it as well. We got to speak with Weller about the process of producing the P-1, so join us after the break for more.
Insert Coin: LifeBeam heart-monitoring smart cycling helmet (video)
In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line. Let's face it: heart monitors, whether strapped to our chests or mounted to the front of a treadmill, are an awful pain to use. But, those rate readouts can be quite useful while involved in any sort of physical activity, making them a necessary hindrance. A proposed "smart cycling helmet" from LifeBeam, a company best known for its defense products, would serve to simplify things a bit. The solution, which is based on physiological monitoring devices installed in some fighter pilot helmets, would instead serve consumers -- cyclists, specifically. LifeBeam will insert sensors within cycling headgear, letting you capture measurements as you pedal up hills and down city streets. With included ANT+ and Bluetooth transmitters, the device, which weighs 50 grams and supports up to 15 hours of continuous usage, can feed data to a smartphone or sport watch, for example, letting you track your stats in realtime. LifeBeam has turned to Indiegogo to raise funds for the project, with limited "pre-order" pricing fixed at $149 for the first 200 helmets sold. From there, the price jumps to $189 -- helmets are expected to begin shipping in September of this year. Sound like a fit? Hit up the source link to help the team reach their $50,000 funding goal, or, if you still need a bit of convincing, you can check out the well-produced video embedded just past the break.
Lorenz Potthast's Decelerator helmet gives you slow-motion vision, sci-fi style
Ever wish you could just push a slow-mo button and cause the hustle and bustle of city life to ease up a little? Maybe you'd just like to seal yourself off from your surroundings within the confines of a shiny aluminum sphere. German artist Lorenz Potthast didn't stop at thinking about it, he did something. Dubbed the "Decelerator," the avant garde piece of headgear does just that: it has a camera that feeds video to the head-mounted display inside, with the wearer (or someone else) able to control the speed of the video playback with a remote. A netbook stuffed in the top handles all the video processing, and an LCD on the outside offers passers-by a look at what the wearer sees. You can find a video after the break and more details at the source link below if you're interested in building your own -- Potthast apparently has no plans to go into the Decelerator business.
Reebok-CCM partnering on impact-sensing flexible sports cap, hopes to improve real-time injury analysis
While the whack of two helmets might be an unavoidable part of some high intensity sports, knowing a little more about what's going on during those impacts can mean the difference between a time out, and time in hospital. Reebok-CCM Hockey and electronics firm MC10 have just announced that they are developing a wearable cap that will register the strength and severity of head impacts during games. The project is actually aimed at all sports and age-groups, and uses high-performance electronics reshaped into an ultra-thin, breathable, flexible system that technology partner, MC10, expects to also be much more affordable. The cap will allow quick analysis through the use of different colored readouts, illustrating the strength of impact. The product won't be commercially available until next year however, but we're already thinking of potential worthy collaborations.
ICEdot crash sensor notifies your loved ones after you eat it, tells them where to find you
Between powered gear shifters, electric motors and BMX-mounted mixers, bicycles just keep getting better -- but no amount of technological augmentation can sidestep the old adage: safety first. Yes, the helmet is a classic and necessary accessory for cyclists, snowboarders and more. ICEdot and SenseTech hope to take the traditional brain bucket to new heights next year with a Bluetooth equipped crash sensor. Take a spill? The ICEdot sensor will take note of the impact and start a countdown on its companion app. If the rider doesn't stop the timer before it reaches zero, ICEdot will notify emergency contacts with the user's last known GPS location and data on the severity of the accident. The accessory doesn't have a firm release date just yet, but it will make an appearance at the Interbike trade show later this month. Smartphone augmented safety will set you back about $200 when it launches next year. Check out the sensor's teaser video after the break.
All-weather motorcycle helmet heats and cools your face, protects grey matter (video)
Bob Averill, who introduced us to the world of underwater hamster care, had a couple of other projects to show us during our visit to Portland, Oregon, including the All-Weather Motorcycle Helmet. What, you ask, makes a motorcycle helmet "all-weather?" Why, built-in heating and cooling, of course. Averill started with a standard Vega modular helmet, adding an evaporative cooler powered by a solar panel on top. The cooler pulls air from an intake on the helmet's side, sucking up more air at higher speeds and blowing it through a sponge, across the wearer's face. When things get too cold, there's a heater built into the liner, created from a heated mouse pad and powered by a lithium battery. Averill is looking to get the project mass-produced, but that's easier said than done, when it comes to a safety products like this -- and Kickstarter, apparently, isn't playing ball. Check out a video of the helmet after the break.
Contour's new mount, watersports kits help bring its cameras with you in the water, snow or dirt
As Contour continues to do battle with GoPro over the action-sport POV camera market, its latest offensive centers around prepackaged activity-specific mount kits that should make it easier for customers to pick one up and go. Also new is an all-in-one ContourRoam watersports kit that includes the HD camera and waterproof case that's capable of keeping it dry at depths of up to 60m. The mount kits include sets for skiers, cyclists, motorcyclists, hikers and an all purpose helmet mount kit. All of these are available starting today on the company's website and at select retailers, with the mount kits going for between $59 - $99 and the Roam Watersports kit for $249. We appreciated the Contour+'s sleek package in our head to head test with the Hero 2 last month and the addition of these packages should help it compete on price and ease of use right out of the box. The specific details are in the press release after the break and pictures of each set are in the gallery below, assuming your hobbies are exciting enough to merit recording, of course.
Visualized: Shopping bag crash helmet protects your head, not your image (video)
The Grappa is a tote-style shopping bag that you can wear on your head (once it's empty) during a natural disaster. It's less insane than it sounds, because the base of the bag is made from the same EPS foam found in hard-hats, and is rated to cope with falling debris at least as well as similar emergency hoods already on the market. Constructed with the cheapest materials possible, each unit costs around 1,000 Yen ($12) with the hope that companies will buy them, slap a logo on the side and hand them out as a promotional tool that could save plenty of lives. Bet you feel guilty for laughing at the picture now, don't you? [Thanks, Don]
Here's a Microsoft patent for a bizarre gaming helmet
The gaming world certainly isn't without its crazy patents and, today, we see Microsoft add another to the pile. The patent in question is a "laser-scanning virtual image display" able to display an image very close to a user's eyes. Specifically, two such displays would be incorporated into a helmet, allowing a user to see a stereoscopic, three dimensional image. While not exclusively meant for video games, the patent does mention that the helmet could "be used in applications ranging from video gaming to aviation."Furthermore, as spotted by Patent Bolt, the displays "may be at least partly transparent," which would allow the user to see the world around him as well as the projected image. That's good, because we prefer our pilots to keep their eyes on the sky, thank you very much.
GoPro launches HD Hero2 helmet cam, announces video streaming Wi-Fi pack for winter
Want to catch every frame of your next extreme sports wipeout in all of its grotesque glory? GoPro knows where you're coming from, and has updated its line of high definition helmet cams to help you capture every bone-breaking moment. The HD Hero2 competitively boasts that it's twice as powerful its 2009 predecessor, the original HD Hero. The new helmet cam promises to capture 1080p 16:9 footage from atop your sweaty noggin at both narrow (90-degree), wide (170-degree) and medium (127-degree) angles, and can snap up to ten 11 megapixel photos per second. The camera's mini-HDMI port, composite out, USB, SD card and HERO ports will help you share the spoils of your spills when your adventure ends -- at least until this winter, when GoPro's WiFi BacPac promises to enable live broadcasting and camera control over WiFi. Best of all? The Hero2 kills the original HD Hero's confusing 3-digit code interface in favor of a simple language-based menu. The HD Hero2 comes in three $300 configurations: outdoor, motorsports, and surf editions, all of which are compatible with existing accessories. Too rich for your blood? Then you'll be happy to know that the previous models are getting price drops -- $200 for the original HD Hero and a paltry $150 for its "960" variant. Hit the break for the official PR and a full list of features.
Sony's 3D HMD goes exclusive for Harrods, leaves America waiting
Sony's Personal 3D Viewer's finally found its way off the showroom floor and on to the shelves of Harrods? That's right, the dual screen 1280 x 720 0.7-inch OLED sporting headset'll initially be a limited exclusive to the well-heeled UK retailer, with a general country-wide release set for later this month. US gamers will have to hold out just a few more days until its end of October launch, but if you're super impatient, there's always that import option. Think you can shell out for the £800 (about $1,276) price tag? Then plan to pick one up the next time you're in town to see the Queen.
This DIY Daft Punk helmet is way cooler than your DIY Daft Punk helmet (video)
Harrison Krix may never actually be invited to join Daft Punk, but at the very least, he'll likely have the coolest Halloween costume in the room for pretty much the rest of his life. It's true, we've seen plenty of folks have a go at the French electronic duo's signature headware in the past -- including one from Krix himself -- but few if any have shown quite the attention to detail as this project from the Atlanta-based graphic designer. At the center of the project is an Arduino-controlled LED with text that can be changed over WiFi with an iOS device. Relive the four month project in the three and a half minute video after the jump. And if you've ever wondered what Back to the Future might have looked like with Thomas Bangalter as Marty McFly, check out the source link below.
Sony HMZ-T1 headset hits IFA, we go hands-on
Easily the most unusual highlight of today's Sony IFA press conference, the HMZ-T1 goes where many other companies have tried and failed. The head-mounted display, first introduced as a prototype back in January at CES, has finally graduated into a real product. The device is aimed at gamers and TV watchers, generating a 3D image with use of a pair of 0.7-inch OLED panels, which each display separate images, doing away with the ghost imagery that often comes along with 3D displays. The device is a solid piece of hardware, just what one would expect from Sony -- especially for a piece of hardware that'll run you around $600 when it hits the US around the November / December time frame. Check out a hands-on video of the device after the break. %Gallery-132178%
Sony's head-mounted 3D visor is real, HMZ-T1 arrives in Japan November 11th
Remember that crazy wearable 3D display concept Sony was showing off at CES 2011? Turns out the company is actually going to make it, and the HMZ-T1 is scheduled to be released in Japan on November 11th. While the design has changed slightly since we first laid our eyes, and heads, on it, the specs appear to be the same, with two 1280x720 0.7-inch OLED panels mounted in front of each eye giving the wearer an experience similar to viewing a 750-inch screen from 20m away, as well as 5.1 surround sound from headphones integrated into the Head Mounted Display (HMD). You can see the helmet above, as well as the processor unit (complete with HDMI input and output, so you can take off the helmet and watch on TV) that it must remain tethered to. Pricing is expected to be 60,000 yen ($783 US). Check out the press release and our hands-on video from CES after the break and decide if living out a Geordi La Forge-style fantasy is worth it. %Gallery-112865%
