Skip to main content

PhiPal is a performance tracker for your helmet that could also save your life

SAPHIBEAT PhiPAL LIVE on Kickstarter!
Saphibeat co-founder Carlo Ciaramelletti nearly died while skiing in Italy. The day after his accident, another skier crashed in the same area and lost his life because he was unable to signal for help. Ciaramelletti knew there was SOS beacon technology that would help people call for help in the aftermath of an unfortunate accident, but Ciaramelletti wanted something more. He wanted a device that could track and improve an athlete’s performance as well as provide a safety net in case of emergency. His solution is the PhiPal, a helmet add-on that includes an emergency SOS beacon and a suite of sensors for both activity tracking and accident detection.

The core feature that set the PhiPal apart from its competition is its accident detection technology. Using a combination or hardware sensors and sophisticated programming, the PhiPal will automatically detect when a user has been an accident and will send a distress message with the person’s GPS coordinates. On the hardware side, the PhiPal is equipped with a 10-axis sensor that includes both motion and altimetric sensors to measure acceleration, orientation, and altitude. The hardware is always recording your movement and using that data for both performance and location tracking.

Recommended Videos

Not only does the PhiPal tell a user how far and how fast they have gone, but it also provides the user with the option to create a breadcrumb trail that other people can follow. Loved ones at home will not have to wait for the, ‘I’m OK’ phone call, they can watch the progress from the comfort of their home. Battery life is outstanding with two onboard batteries, one that is dedicated to the emergency SOS system and the other to a power- management system that optimizes battery life in an emergency.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

On the safety side, the AI algorithm continuously monitors your body movements so it can detect anything outside the usual sport-specific conditions, for example, if you are rock climbing and fall 200 feet rapidly. In this monitoring stage, the device draws from your previous performances and uses that data as a baseline so it can discern whether this sudden stop is the result of you hitting the wall or hitting a tree. Once an accident is suspected, the device enters a pre-alarm mode and begins to scan the condition of the user. It can detect when a person is unconscious and will automatically send a distress call to a pre-determined circle of friends or emergency responders.

The PhiPal is available in two different models — a basic version with cellular connectivity for sending distress messages and a Pro version that adds on satellite communications for when a cellular connection is not available. The entry-level PhiPal is available for $99 via Kickstarter, while the Pro version costs $199. These prices are are in effect for the duration of the Kickstarter campaign. Once the crowdfunding is completed and the device hit the retail market, the Basic model will cost $149, while the PhiPal Pro will cost $299. Saphibeat expects to ship the PhiPal in September 2017.

Kelly Hodgkins
Kelly's been writing online for ten years, working at Gizmodo, TUAW, and BGR among others. Living near the White Mountains of…
Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity
Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?

Read more
Velotric: One of our favorite e-bike brands is having a huge sale right now
Velotric T1 ST Plus bike couple riding on the road

Take a minute to browse through the e-bike category, and you'll see lots of options but not many that I would classify as accessible. As far as technology goes, they can be pretty expensive, especially compared to your everyday traditional pedal bike. So, it makes sense that most people would wait until the holiday season, including Black Friday and Cyber Monday, to get a great deal on a new bike. Prices are at their lowest ever, and it's a great time to save some money. But guess what? You don't have to wait until later in November to save big because Velotric, a premium-quality e-bike maker, is hosting a huge sale right now. You can head over now to take a look, otherwise, we're going to explore some of those Velotric e-bike deals that are available.
save Now
 
What are these "Lower-Than-Black-Friday" Velotric e-bike deals?

Velotric is claiming these deals are "better" than Black Friday, so they better be good, right? Don't worry, they are. For example, you can grab the Velotric Go 1 Ebike for $400 off, while still getting it in a bundle that includes two free gears. That price is currently $1,299, normally $1,700. The Go 1 features a 500-watt motor, supports a maximum load of 440 pounds, and can travel up to 55 miles on a single charge. Pretty impressive. It's also designed to lug cargo, like a picnic basket, day bag, or even camping gear. That's mostly thanks to a lower center of gravity for the frame and hydraulic suspension system.

Read more
Yamaha offers sales of 60% on e-bikes as it pulls out of U.S. market
Yamaha Pedal Assist ebikes

If you were looking for clues that the post-pandemic e-bike market reshuffle remains in full swing in the U.S., look no further than the latest move by Yamaha.

In a letter to its dealers, the giant Japanese conglomerate announced it will pull out of the e-bike business in the U.S. by the end of the year, according to Electrek.

Read more