AI, AI, AI … It’s all over the place, proper? Nicely, AI has now made its approach to motorbike helmets. Gone are the times of cautious shoulder checks. Clever Skull Helmets guarantees to offer riders with the best stage of safety by combining improved visibility, crash detection, and seamless connectivity right into a single, high-tech helmet.
After displaying a design concept back in 2015, the corporate has lastly been in a position to produce an precise mass-produced, retail-ready product that’s full as a tick with futuristic performance. It’s known as the iC-R, which is definitely a spread of 4 sensible motorbike helmet fashions, every with an added set of options to tickle your fancy. It was unveiled at CES 2025, and proved profitable at garnering a good quantity of consideration within the moto world.
However first, who’s Clever Skull Helmets? The Virginia-based firm began in 2015 with a safety-first sensible helmet tech strategy that put a chief give attention to integrating synthetic intelligence into its product vary.
“Whereas driving to work someday, I observed quite a lot of motorcyclists touring in the identical course I used to be,” says CEO and co-founder, Ambrose Dodson. “I noticed the motorcyclists repeatedly turning their heads each time they wanted to vary lanes, and I stated to myself – there needs to be a safer method for these riders to experience.”
iC-R Pre-orders Now Transport & Official Launch
The focus of the AI helmet is its elaborate 240-degree visual view. How is that potential, you ask? Tiny twin rear cameras reportedly remove blind spots, that are a big security danger for motorbike riders, enabling you to identify automobiles and obstructions with out having to show your head round.
What’s extra, there’s a 1080p/60fps motion digital camera on the entrance of the helmet that covers a 120-degree angle. Which means the whole efficient subject of view sums as much as a mammoth 300 levels!
And similar to many of the premium automobiles as of late, this AI helmet additionally comes with a proximity warning system. It’s a vital line of protection in opposition to potential side-impact collisions, alerting you if you begin straying out of your lane. And within the occasion that there is a crash, the helmet’s crash detection system can instantly telephone 911. That’s, if the rider is motionless for greater than 15 seconds. Fairly neat.
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A heads-up show (HUD) is liable for offering vital info with out diverting your consideration whereas on the bike. All pertinent info – comparable to pace, navigational cues, and incoming messages – will pop up in an easy-to-read format.
As for connectivity, the AI helmet gives three modes of communication with fellow riders: Duplex Bluetooth Mesh, Limitless Vary Cellular Community for as much as 15 riders, and a wi-fi PTT intercom system. This implies you can keep in contact along with your buddies irrespective of how far-off they’re from you.
In case you’re somebody who likes to report their motorbike journeys and adventures, this helmet can double up as an actioncam too. All you need to do is use a voice command like, “Hey, report my experience,” and the entrance and rear cameras will fireplace away.
This performance does away with the necessity for exterior cameras like a GoPro HERO 13 Black or DJI Action 5 Pro. Compared, the Sena 50C headset has a 120-degree FOV digital camera, a Mesh/Bluetooth intercom, and no screens – it lasts an hour and 40 minutes on a cost.
You’d anticipate the iC-R’s battery life to be restricted, contemplating all that the helmet gives. ICH states a 5 to 7-hour runtime, which appears greater than satisfactory for many customers. In fact, meaning a giant battery.
An enormous battery equals heavier weight – 8.1 lb (3.7 kg) to be exact. That’s roughly twice as heavy because the Shoei Neotec 3, which weighs 4.15 lb (1.8 kg). Fortunately, Clever Skull Helmets does acknowledge that shortcoming, and is working at decreasing the load of the helmet by round 300 – 400 grams.
Lest you neglect, it’s nonetheless a chunk of security gear, even with all of the AI decor on it. So it must be equally secure because the likes of an Arai, Klim, or Shoei helmet. It’s already attained DOT certification, whereas Snell and ECE testing are ongoing and are anticipated to be accomplished quickly.
How a lot does this cutting-edge motorbike helmet value? The Economic system Version iC-Re begins at US$650. Subsequent, the Rider Version iC-R prices $1,165, the Sport Version iC-Rs goes for $1,675, whereas the top-of-the-line Sport Plus Version iC-Rs+ will set you again $1,850. In fact, as you progress up the vary, you get your fingers on extra options.
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By the use of comparability, the aforementioned Shoei Neotec 3 is available in at $899, with a elaborate decal costing you $999. So in no way is the iC-R vary of helmets low cost. However it will possible value you far more to get a daily helmet after which add the quite a few rider aids to copy the options of the iC-R.
Personally, I hate the concept of additional bits of data popping in entrance of your eyes contained in the helmet. The remainder of it appears helpful, however the fact is the street itself calls for 100% of your consideration. To deviate from that, even for a cut up second, will not be one thing I’d think about myself. However then I’m somebody who likes his helmets typical. Perhaps I want extra convincing.
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