Android-powered helmet shows driving direction


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Google Glass might be next big thing in wearable computers, once it becomes commercially available, that is, but it might not be practical or even feasible in some scenarios, like for motorcycle riders. Enter Skully P1, an Android-enabled bike helmet that becomes not only your entertainment and augmented-reality companion on the road, but might even be your lifeline. A new Android-powered, Bluetooth-linked motorcycle helmet features a display that appears in front of our right cheek. The headgear, called Skully Helmet, is capable of showing driving directions, the weather and other basic interface elements, Discovery News reported.

The Redwood City, California, startup's helmet can also show the view behind you, which is captured by a 180-degree camera that has been placed at the back.You're on your beast, riding along a long winding road and suddenly you come to a fork. Not knowing which way to turn, you are forced to get up, pull your phone out of your pocket and turn on the navigation. Definitely painful being a biker. Not just will you have to get past all the layers of protective gear but taking a break right when you planned to open throttle can be highly frustrating even. But how about if while riding, your helmet just showed you the way and guided you?

There's now a helmet that does just exactly that! Skully is an Android-powered, Bluetooth-linked motorcycle helmet that features a display that appears in front of the rider's right cheek. The helmet acts just like a navigation device and shows not just riding directions and routes but even the weather and basic other information.

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Since the helmet is Android powered, you can sync it with your smartphone. Skully uses bluetooth to sync to your smartphone and you can do everything from play/skip tracks, make calls, etc just through voice commands. The helmet comes with all the features of a smartphone accessory which provides not just safety but even advanced features.

However, the best part about the helmet is the rear-camera. A 180 Degree rear view camera gives you an unrestricted view if your back and the sides eliminating the need to keep focusing in your side-view mirrors. The camera will definitely be of much use on slopes when it gets difficult to see the vehicles behind.

However, with a camera and having the road constantly in front of you, won't it get distracting? According to a post by Skully, "No. The display is positioned outside the riders primary field of view, and appears approximately 6 meters away. This means you can see the road ahead without any obstruction from the display. This display system simplifies the riding experience because you no longer have to avert your eyes from the road to see what is behind you or to find your route."

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The software features are really cool but the main aim of the helmet is safety. Skully comes with a double visor and the anti-fog visor lens is glare, fog, and scratch resistant, optically correct, and lockable. It includes Skully’s Quick Release System to make shield swaps a snap.

Also, with the advanced helmet, comes the issue of a battery. According to the Skully website, the battery can last for 9 hours of continuous use. A regular USB charger can be used to charge the helmet, making it easy to charge even with a regular phone cord. 

Thank you very friends.

5 comments:

William Addison said...

i love it..

Jassica said...

Do the helmets oferred for beta testing are free? or do we have to pay for them?

Ash said...

it's not "full of Google". A HUD with GPS and Rear-view could allow for less time with eyes off the road. Being as I primarily ride in the city, and during daylight hours, this could be a huge safety innovation. For country riding, or a seasonal/weekend enthusiast, a standard helmet would probably be better.

Rocky said...

I am very fond of riding bike..that's why this technology rather sounds goo to me.

Tanveer said...

Technology is switching to wearable things now-a-days.

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