So, you think that a ski helmet is just supposed to protect your head? Well, the folks at Australia's Forcite Helmet Systems apparently believe that it should do a little more. Among other things, their Alpine helmet lets the user shoot video, talk on the phone, and alert the authorities if they crash – hopefully not because they were distracted by talking on the phone.
First of all, there's the brow-located HD camera (the same place you'll find the camera on the Video Head helmet). It captures POV footage via a 160-degree lens at a maximum resolution of 1080p/120fps, smoothing out the bumps with an image stabilization system.
To either side of that camera are a set of OLED fog lights, to help brighten things up when visibility is limited. Both the lights and video recording are activated using button controls built into one of the side flaps.
Utilizing a Bluetooth module, the helmet is also able to communicate with the user's phone. This allows them to listen to music via built-in stereo speakers, or to make or place calls with some help from an integrated wind-resistant mic. Multiple users can additionally communicate with one another via Wi-Fi, within a 50-meter (164-ft) range.
Should the Alpine's impact sensor detect a serious blow, the helmet will emit an emergency beacon including the user's GPS coordinates and altitude. That beacon can also be activated manually.
Users can additionally log their runs, keeping track of performance and location data on an accompanying app. That app is also used to access the helmet's built-in microprocessor, which controls all of the electronic features. One charge of the helmet's lithium-polymer battery should reportedly be good for six to eight hours of use.
The Forcite Alpine is scheduled for release later this year, at a price that has yet to be announced. The company will be taking preorders soon, via the link below.
There's more information in the following video.
Source: Forcite