Gadgets for Motorcycles - Bluetooth Helmets |
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File under Bluetooth Helmets New Products
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Paris, France
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Read the special articles on Bluetooth and motorcycles: |
I guess it was only a matter of time. The first helmets equipped with Bluetooth technology have arrived !
What's so special about Bluetooth? Bluetooth is a wireless technology used primarily by mobile phone, enabling mobile phones to communicate without wires with headsets. But it also applies to other devices such as PCs and PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants such as Palm Pilots). Bluetooth enables communications between different Bluetooth equipped devices within a range of 5 meters or so. You need to agree upon a code (a bit like a channel), and once each device has "discovered" each other, they can communicate freely.
Within the motorcycle industry, a device to communicate between rider and passenger, is a frequent addition to the accessories one buys. However, most of them involve a control box and wires! Lots of wires !
Enter Bluetooth! If you can have a helmet that is pre-equiped with Bluetooth (and a headset & microphone) than you are in business ! You can talk to your passenger, or even with other bikes that are close to you. You can also communicate with your mobile phone if the latter is Bluetooth equipped.
Momo Design
Momo, the Italian helmet manufacturer (and design company), are investigating several helmets pre-equiped with Bluetooth ! They are working together with Motorola to include a Bluetooth transmitter inside their, very beautiful, helmets (see photo on your left). Currently the project is still under evaluation, however, there are already Momo helmets for sale with Bluetooth adapted to it. This means that they have installed a Bluetooth headset and microphone on a standard helmet - not the same thing.
Currently, there are no plans to market the helmet, but if I know Momo, it'll be on the market by spring next year.
Momo Design web site (very nice Flash presentation)
Vemar Helmets
Another Italian helmet company have actually launched their Bluetooth equipped helmets. It is Vemar and they have produced several helmets that are equipped with Bluetooth.
They are offering Jet, Flip-up and Full face helmets, and all helmets are rechargeable by plugging in an adaptor to a small inlet built-in to the helmet.
The helmets are not cheap.... a full face, Bluetooth equipped helmet will set you back 500 Euros (350 UKL) !
Vemar Helmets web site (not much in English)
STMicroelectronics
The chip manufacturer, STMicroelectronics, have introduced a special chip that operates Bluetooth designed specially for Helmet usage. The chip has been chosen by LensLogica for this purpose. It's very low power consumption make the chip ideal for helmets. According to STM, you can operate the Bluetooth chip for a full day before it needs to be recharged.
Click here to read more about it.
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