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BMW Announce Motorcycle Helmet With BlueTooth |
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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: |
Following the latest rage, BMW announced at the Intermot their System V integral helmet with integrated BlueTooth technology. This permits you to telephone while riding your motorcycle, conditional on your mobile phone being equipped with BlueTooth.
The new system helmet V is a step into the future not just in the sense of sporty looks and product qualities: fitted with Bluetooth technology, this folding helmet enables wireless communication between motorcyclists.
The system is not vehicle-based and bears the name WCS-1 (Wireless Communication System); it is completely integrated in the helmet and homologised for this purpose. It consists of two virtually invisible Array microphones in the forehead area, a digital signal processor (DSP) to filter interference and wind noise, a Bluetooth module, two speakers and an integrated set of batteries. On the left there is a control panel with three buttons for the functions “On/Off/Select” (this includes the “pairing” which connects the two devices and “multifunction” for connecting further devices) as well as “+” and “-“ for loud and soft).
Voices can be heard easily even at speeds of over 150 km/h, depending on the motorcycle model: the installation kit hardly weighs more than a chocolate bar (approx. 120 g) and can be used for several hours once the battery is fully charged. At the moment, mobile phones with Bluetooth capability can be connected. Later, connections for other Bluetooth devices are planned, e.g. MP3 players.
This technology is installed in the new system helmet V with an outer shell manufactured in hot press and made fibre glass, carbon and Kevlar laminate. This helmet offers excellent aeroacoustic levels. The noise level at 100 km/h is only 86 dB(A). It is thus among the quietest folding helmets on the market. In terms of aerodynamics, too, the helmet is pioneering. It is neutral in the air stream and only has mild aerodynamic resistant when the head is turned. A high level of impact damping was achieved by means of segmentation of the EPS helmet shell (expanded polystyrol) with impact resistance in eight individual segments.
The chin section can be folded up or closed with one hand due to a new mechanical system with bowden control. Air intake is simple to regulate. The visor ventilation can be closed and is operated by means of a sliding button at the chin and for head ventilation at the forehead, with two settings. At the rear head, the air stream is regulated at continuously variable levels with a slider. Ventilation openings are at negative pressure levels and thus maximise the air stream inside the helmet.
The chin strap integrated in the neck band helps prevent the helmet from turning. In the event of an accident, it remains in the best possible position and protects the head. At the chin strap covers there are so-called noise flaps which close off the helmet and keep turbulence away from the ears.
Like its predecessor, the helmet weighs only 1690 grams. It has a breathable DuPont Coolmax interior lining which can be taken out for cleaning. In addition to the three-dimensionally curved, scratch-resistant and anti-fog-layered visor the accessories also include a toned, double-panel and air visor (shortened visor) with the same properties. Jet helmet side sections as well as cheek and neck pads are available in various sizes for adaptation.
Not only are the lines of the BMW Motorrad product range reflected in the design of the helmet, the five colours are also harmonised with those of the motorcycles. The customer can choose between night black non-metallic, titanium silver metallic, manganese blue metallic, magnesium metallic matt and rock red metallising.
No prices or availability as of yet. The photo is that of the System V helmet, but by the life of me, I can't see any BlueTooth controls.
Vemar and Momo have already announced their BlueTooth helmets.
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