The Smart helmet is a really interesting new design from LifeBeam that measures your heart rate via a sensor on your forehead and relays it wirelessly to your bike computer. That means you don’t have to wear a heart rate strap around your chest.
LifeBeam is an Israeli company that uses technology developed for the defence and aerospace industries. They say that this sensor was first used by air force pilots who can be in danger of blacking out when subject to unusual G forces. The sensor is used to tell them if they’re at risk.
Here's Omry Czapnik from LifeBeam to explain how it all works:
Working with Lazer, LifeBeam have transferred the tech over to the sports world. The sensor sits right in the middle of your forehead and there’s a rechargeable processing unit incorporated into the back of the helmet. It sends your heart rate measurement via either ANT+ or Bluetooth 4.0 – you choose the version that works with the computer that you have.
The price of the helmet is US$199 if you preorder now, or US$250/€250 if you wait for the full release later in the year. Go to http://life-beam.com/portfolio/smart/ for all the details.
19 thoughts on “Lifebeam Smart helmet incorporates heart rate monitor + video”
Great tech, but the taste is
Great tech, but the taste is a bit sour, knowing that it was developed for military use. A military that uses those fighter jets against Palestinian civilians.
A year to develop shows the close relationship between military and civilian companies in israel; I suppose having a pacifist mentality would not help getting access to military tech.
It’s bad enough being buzzed by cars or HGV’s whilst cycling, I can’t imagine what it would be like to be buzzed by an F16!
Ronin – be careful with what
Ronin – be careful with what you say – the Israeli military do not use fighter jets to target Palestinian civilians. Yes – they use fighters in the conflict, and yes – Palestinian civilians have died as a result, which is undoubtedly a bad thing, as is any civilian loss of life in a conflict.
But you need to understand that the jets are not used for the purpose of targeting and killing civilians. They are used to target and kill militants and terrorists who are attacking Israel (for whatever reason) – and often Israeli civilians.
I know this is not the right forum for a middle eastern debate, but one needs to be clear on what they are saying. In any event, the technology that comes our of Israel, for both civilian and military purposes is exceptional given that there are so few people living there.
As for the helmet – seems a bit of a nonsense spending all that extra money on something for which there is no real need.
This isn’t the place for the
This isn’t the place for the Middle East debate but surely Ronin is entitled to his view even if you choose to believe what governments say.
As for the helmet I’m more concerned about the tech being built into something that we are advised to replace after 3 years even if not damaged. It would be better if the sensor were removable.
Ronin is entitled to his
Ronin is entitled to his view. But it is wrong. My view is not acquired from listening to what governments say via the media. I know for a fact what I have said is correct as several of my family and friends fly said planes.
NDD wrote:Ronin is entitled
So, absolutely no chance of any bias there then…
NDD wrote:Ronin – be careful
That’s what I said, you just put it in a much better way than I did… 😀
Lets face it, on the road us cyclists are all Palestinians!
ronin wrote:Great tech, but
The internet was developed by DARPA. Does hypocrisy and/or ignorance leave a sour taste in the mouth?
Hey, no worries, just flaming yer, you asked for it. But this gadget is cool, no silly chest bands. On a steep climb my pounding head works as a HRM already so collecting the data should be easy.
bikeboy76 wrote:ronin
You call that flames, foolish mortal…
Sorry, got carried away 🙂 I agree the tech is cool. Perhaps the internet kills indirectly, but fighter planes tend to be more direct, and as that’s the picture they were using, I’m just responding to their advertising.
I’m sure they are smart guys, I’m sure they would have thought about how to advertise this tech, and that’s why I made such a comment.
But for now a certain Johny Storm would like to have a word 😀
I’m no hawk, but you don’t
I’m no hawk, but you don’t have to look too hard at materials like kevlar, carbon fibre and titanium to trace their early industrialisation to military uses.
Like it or not, the desire to blow up people you don’t agree with has driven a hell of a lot of technological advances that we all benefit from, both in cycling and daily life. This one’s just a bit more contemporary than most.
Quote:I suppose having a
Do you use GPS?
If this takes off we’ll all
If this takes off we’ll all look pretty cool exercising on our turbo trainers, exercise bikes, running machines and cross trainers!
I predict gym-related head injuries to be down 75% within 2 years!
GPS which is incorporated
GPS which is incorporated into all our mobile phones was a military invention – i guess as mentioned whether you agree with it or not alot of our modern technologies have military backgrounds.
Don’t forget the internet was invented by the military during WWII
Jeez – if military inventions
Jeez – if military inventions was an issue I wouldnt have a non-stick pan never mind teflon coated cables or sprays.
Still…what price?
Also, does it require contact with the forehead or just positioning? Contact doesnt seem like a good idea…positioning tells me it could be an add-on to my own helmet choice.
Great product. I’ve heard
Great product. I’ve heard about it before and it’s cool to hear they are making it to the market. The price is quite reasonable too considering the fact it’s based on the top model!
Why does it matter if the
Why does it matter if the product was originally developed for military use? Refusing to use the civilian version developed of the military version isn’t going to stop conflict. By definition it has already been developed by the military. A larger concern is civilian developed items that can then be altered for military usage. Either way there is way more money in military usage than cycling usage so just be happy with the wonderful products that trickle down
I’m out. I’d rather have less
I’m out. I’d rather have less weight on my head, no battery to recharge and my forehead already has a sweat barrier headband.
Great idea, I’d buy one. The
Great idea, I’d buy one. The military origins doesn’t bother me, can’t say the same about the Israeli connection though.
Ok, I want one. Not sure
Ok, I want one. Not sure about the Israeli connection though. But then the US have been a bit nasty in Iraq / Afghanistan etc etc. China is obviously out. Germany, Italy and Japan had that whole WWII thing, and Britain, Spain and France were not exactly nice to the world’s indigenous people for a couple of hundred years there. Oh well, looks like I will have to knock something up myself……
Who cares
Who cares :/