Touted by its creators as the most advanced helmet-mounted accessory ever, the Fusar Mohawk is designed to make any helmet smarter, safer and more social. With the inclusion of a 12-MP camera, accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS, as well as a PTT coms system and connected mobile apps, the unit is intended to replace a host of helmet-mountable devices.
The Mohawk has already achieved 140 percent of the company's modest US$100,000 goal in just three days – and it's easy to see why the Mohawk quickly captured so much attention. The slick design results in a low-slung and aggressive profile that makes the GoPro look positively awkward by comparison.
But good looks are really just the tip of the iceberg with this system. Fusar founder and CEO, Ryan Shearman, tells Gizmag that the product is designed to be a universal device that can replace numerous pieces of tech that today are typically used and purchased independently.
Controllable via a wrist- or handlebar-mounted Bluetooth remote controls (BRCs) and compatible with Fusar's F7 Bluetooth headset (or any Blutooth headset that pairs with an iOS or Android device), Shearman describes the Mohawk as an all-in-one Swiss Army knife of smart helmet technology.
In addition to capturing footage through the 140-degree wide angle lens in 720p and 1080p at 30 fps (and 60 fps 1080p capabilities promised in a forthcoming firmware update), the device's 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyroscope and 3-axis magnetometer allows tracking of things like actual hang time for epic launches or how far you leaned into that last turn.
Black-box telemetry including GPS, crash detection and emergency alerts add a layer of responsibility to this fun-loving package. In the event a crash is detected, the Mohawk locks down the last two minutes of video as well as data related to the crash. The product simultaneously sends out SMS and email alerts to your emergency contacts, including a map to your precise location and local phone numbers to EMS dispatchers. First responders and physicians will have immediate knowledge of the context of injuries and, in the case of life or death accidents, help can be called even when you're unconscious.
The product also shows excellent attention to detail. Including a rotating lens that enables variable mounting of the camera, and a hinged universal adapter that lets you swap the Mohawk from one helmet to another in seconds. The BRCs also feature multi-color LEDs to let you know what the Mohawk is doing, with a single button press on said BRCs taking a still image and a longer press starting the video recording. There's also a "HotShot" feature that lets you save the last 15 seconds of action after the fact and immediately push it to social media with a two-button press.
Since a screen on a device sitting on the top of your head isn't much use, the unit pairs with a free app for iOS and Android devices and it's in conjunction with these apps that you can track, view and share your adventures. When paired with the Fusar F7 or compatible third party Bluetooth headset, up to 12 users can chat walkie-talkie style using Fusar's cloud-based push-to-talk (PTT) feature.
The unit is powered by a 2,400 mAh battery that should recharge in 2.5 hours, which gives from 2 to 4 hours of use depending on active features. The BRCs have a claimed battery life of a year under frequent use. Both the Mohawk and Fusar's BRCs are waterproof,
Gizmag has covered a number of ambitious smart-helmet concepts in the past, including the Intelligent Cranium iC-R, however all of these must pass DOT and ECE approvals and cost considerably more.
Particularly for people that participate in multiple sports, the value proposition is obvious – one fully integrated and expandable device that not only looks cool, but also ends up costing far less than comparable components that weren't made to work together. The biggest catch of course is that there's going to be a bit of a wait. The company is anticipating the wrist- and handlebar-mountable Bluetooth controllers and F7 headset will ship in January, while the full system with the camera is being produced in partnership with Flextronics and is expected to be available in Q3 of 2016.
For those that are interested in taking advantage of early bird pricing, the Indiegogo campaign is still running. The minimum pledge level of US$299 includes the Mohawk, your choice of wrist or handlebar BRC, and an F7 Bluetooth headset.
A video showcasing the unit and specs for the hardware can be viewed below.
Source: Fusar
