We wear a helmet to protect our skulls, but being human, we expect more from these inert lifesavers. So we strap on cameras to film our stunts or canyon carving adventures — the world needs to see! We want to talk to our buddies while in the wind, so we pop in a Bluetooth kit. In our pockets and around our wrists, we have apps for navigation and tracking. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have all these benefits without the encumbrance? Enter the Mohawk.
Though there are helmets on the market that come with one or more of these technologies, you still have to add on what’s missing. That’s no longer so, as Fusar Technologies has created a platform that combines a camera, activity tracker, Bluetooth 4.0 communication device, GPS, black box, Wi-Fi capability, and emergency response system all into one device. It’s called Mohawk, and it is compatible with any type of helmet.
This “Swiss Army knife” of smart helmet technology hit its $100,000 Indiegogo goal the first day, and is fast approaching $150,000. Fusar wants to change the way riders share their media, navigate, and communicate, all while remaining safe.
The camera, which Fusar claims to be the most aerodynamic mounted unit on the market, allows users to capture 12MP photos and shoot 1080p video at 30 or 60 FPS via the touch of a button on a handlebar or wrist-mounted remote. Short press the button on your BRC (Bluetooth remote controls) to snap a photo, and long press to record video. The media instantly syncs to your smart phone. Real-time videos can be instantly uploaded to social media with the HotShot feature, which can be activated anytime to save the last 15 seconds of footage, even if you weren’t recording.
Mohawk can be synced to your smartphone, providing walkie-talkie style communication and GPS tracking for up to 12 friends and fellow riders, keeping everyone together. This should reduce the stress of teaching the newbies to properly interpret hand signals!
How much air did you catch on that last trail jump? Were you knee-down on that third bank? Onboard sensors allow you to track air time, degree of lean, and more using a built-in 3-axis accelerometer, magnetometer, and gyroscope.
A major fear for solo riders is taking a fall when no one else is around. In a crash involving head or spinal trauma, every minute is crucial, and if you’re lying unconscious or unable to move, what can you do but wait for passersby to call for help? Mohawk is equipped to notify loved ones and emergency contacts via text and email in the event of a crash. It also provides them with a map to your precise location and the phone numbers of the three nearest EMS dispatchers.
If you do go down, the black box records the last two minutes of audio and video, your speed and direction of travel. This can be beneficial afterwards, especially for insurance purposes.
The mobile app, Bluetooth headset, and handlebar remote are expected to ship in the first quarter of 2016, while Mohawk itself will follow in the third quarter. It will be available for $550, but early birds can pre-order the kit for $300.
