There is obviously a high demand for protective headgear for motorcycle owners, bicycle users and more, but it’s 2018 and we won’t settle with the bare minimum. Everything is becoming smart and helmets can do much more than keep our heads together. Technology can make helmets safer, more enjoyable, and even more convenient. How? Let’s jump right into our favorite smart helmet products to show you.
Table of Contents
Motorcycle helmets
Sena Cavalry Helmet
Any motorcycle rider will recognize Sena. The brand is very well known for its quality Bluetooth communication systems, and many claim they simply can’t be beat. But their devices are usually simple add-ons for any helmet out there. Not this one!
The Sena Cavalry Helmet is a motorcycle half helmet with all communication systems integrated. The unit connects via Bluetooth and has a set of speakers, as well as an integrated microphone. This is by no means a lackluster unit. It can communicate with other communication systems at up to 900 meters, supports voice commands, has a built-in FM radio and can even share music.
Interested? Do keep in mind Sena products are not cheap. This little helmet retails for $349, a pretty high price to pay for a half helmet. Its smart capabilities may be worth every penny, though.
Sena Momentum Inc Helmet
Now, if you do want a full-face helmet with all the benefits the Cavalry has to offer, Sena is also working on the Momentum helmet line. They include features such as 4 to 8-way communication at up to 1.6 km, FM radio, audio multi-tasking, voice commands, Bluetooth 4.1 support and more. There’s also a version called the Momentum INC Pro that adds a QHD action camera directly on top of the helmet. It has a big 135 degree field of view and can record up to two hours of video.
The cheapest of the line is the Momentum Lite, which is priced at $399. The standard Momentum cost $499, and the Momentum INC and INC Pro. which supports what the company calls Intelligent Noise-Control, starts at $549.
LiveMap Helmet
LiveMap continues to stay alive after an unsuccessful 2013 Indiegogo campaign and years of work. Their complete motorcycle helmet experience is said to be launching sometime 2018 and you can now pre-order your unit for $1500.
Wait, what?! That may seem like a very high price (and it is), but we must also take a look at what this thing can do. For starters, the helmet can project GPS navigation directions straight into your face shield. This means you don’t need to turn your eyes into a tiny display or look around for your phone. Just keep your eyes on the road and white for directions to appear. And that is not all the projector can display; you can also keep track of speed and other parameters.
The helmet carries a fully functional camera, which can record footage of your adventures, as well as evidence in case any accident or incident takes places. The mic and headphones will also allow you to use voice commands, listen to music, answer calls and more.
Neat, right?
Reevu MSX1
This is not exactly a “smart” helmet, but it would be a smart purchase if you like being safe. The one thing it does, it does very well – keeping you aware of what’s behind you.
The Reevu MSX1 turns your helmet into a rear-view mirror of sorts. It takes light from the back, bends it around the head and displays an image of the road behind the rider.
The company uses reflective polycarbonate material that is both more resistant and lighter than glass. There are no electronics going on here, which also means there is no need to charge or use batteries. Pretty cool, right?
Cycling, skating and other sports helmets
LifeBEAM Smart Helmet
Forget those annoying chest straps, watches and other accessories that get on the way of your performance. The LifeBEAM helmet gives cyclists the edge by offering seamless heart rate, calorie and performance tracking. You have to wear a helmet to stay safe, so why not add all this functionality right into it?
This gadget is for those who simply want to perform their best while cycling. Unlike most products in this list, LifeBEAM won’t keep you entertained or communicated with the outside world. The technology was originally designed to track pilot vitals, so you know this is no toy.
Interested? The LifeBEAM Smart Helmet can be found on Amazon and pricing starts at $175.
Lumos Helmet
Maybe you don’t care about entertainment, communication or vitals. You just want to get from point A to point B, and you want to do so safely. Having a bicycle as a main form of transportation is not as safe as one would wish. You are sharing the road with drivers operating multi-ton machines.
It’s partly our duty to make sure drivers know we are there, and this is where Lumos comes into play. This helmet is equipped with a series of lights that will keep you safe and predictable. The white lights in the front will keep you visible for incoming traffic, while the red lights on the back will keep your 6 clear.
There is a wireless turn signal controller you can mount on your handlebars. IT does exactly what you are imagining; simply press the left/right buttons to let drivers behind you know where you are going. The helmet can also sense when you are slowing down and turns on a brake light, but this is still a beta feature.
Interested? No need to wait! Just head over to the Lumos Helmet website and get this helmet for $169.
Airwheel C5
The Airwheel C5 is for the adventurous souls who want to have fun, share their experiences and keep themselves safe. It does come with speakers and a microphone, making it possible to listen to music, get audio directions and even answer phone calls.
The camera can be used for multiple functions, including photo shots, video and even security monitoring. That’s right! Just leave your helmet can keep an eye on your home and any abnormalities will be noticed upon your return. Its WiFi connection also allows users to share their adventures through social networks.
Interested? You can get one from Amazon starting at $124.99.
Livall BH60 helmet
Coros Omni Smart Bike Helmet
Classon Smart Helmet
The Classon Smart Helmet is very unique. Not only because of its features, but the helmet itself is designed in a very interesting way. It almost looks like a flat cap. But be sure that it has all the necessary materials and features to keep you safe.
The Classon Smart Helmet can detect when you are slowing down and signals a brake light for those behind you. It also knows when you are using hand signals and starts blinking its own turn signals to help you out.
My personal favorite feature is its ability to tell when a car is incoming. There are front and rear cameras keeping track of your environment, and a light will blink in your peripheral vision when something dangerous approaches your blind spots.
The unit’s lights can also help you navigate through town. And if you want to share your rides videos can be pulled from the camera feed.
The bad news is that this product is not yet available. It was launched via Indiegogo and is scheduled to ship this September. Those who want to sign up for one can pre-order it for $149.
Add-ons
Ahead Smart Speaker for Helmets
If you have just a regular helmet, but want to be able to listen to your smartphone’s music or podcast, this Ahead add-on might be for you. First launched via an Indiegogo campaign, this Bluetooth device just snaps instantly onto any helmet. It can then connect to your smartphone, and you hear music and talk on the phone with its built-in oscillator, which passes the audio directly into the helmet.
It also includes two narrow-angle microphones which are designed to capture sound directly from your mouth for hands-free chats with anyone on your phone. The included app lets you adjust any of the settings. The Ahead Speaker add-on is on sale at Amazon for $159.
BE-LINK Helmet Bluetooth Audio System
You don’t need all those fancy features? Maybe all you want is to rock to your tunes and the BE-LINK audio system (version 3.0) will do just that for a pretty low price. This thing goes for just $49.99 and can be installed into any helmet. Its battery can go for up to 9 hours and the company promises great sound coming from its 30mm drivers.
Sena 20S
Motorcycle communication systems are very popular among riders, so we thought it was important to add one to the list. The Sena 20S is not only what we consider the best bang for your buck, but it has become a favorite among many motorcycle enthusiasts.
This thing can do it all. Its Bluetooth 4.1 capabilities will keep you answering calls, listening to music and following directions seamlessly. Talking about doing all these things – you can do them simultaneously. The Sena 20S is special in that it uses audio multi-tasking. This means you can continue talking to your buddies while listening to music or following navigation instructions. No distractions or interruptions!
It does feature a universal intercom with up to 2 km of range and can connect with up to 8 riders. Voice commands, advanced noise control and FM radio will also help make that ride more comfortable.
Interested? Sena is not exactly cheap. This specific communication system currently goes for about $269 on Amazon.
Stay safe and enjoy the ride, guys. We have shown you some awesome tools to do so, but please do hit the comments if you want to recommend some of your favorite helmet tech. Have any of you used these? How do you like them?