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Wahoo partner with Specialized to include ANGi crash detection sensor support for all Elemnt GPS unitswahoo x specialized angi sensors 1

Wahoo partner with Specialized to include ANGi crash detection sensor support for all Elemnt GPS units

Wahoo Elemnt, Elemnt Bolt and Elelmnt Roam owners will now be able to pair Specialized helmets with ANGi sensors to their GPS thanks to a new firmware update
by Jack Sexty
Mon, Jan 20, 2020 17:17
2

Wahoo have partnered with Specialized to allow Elemnt, Elemnt Bolt and Elelmnt Roam owners to pair Specialized ANGi helmet-mounted crash protection sensors with their GPS device. The firmware update means crash detection notifications from the ANGi sensors are sent from the Specialized Ride App to the Elemnt computer, allowing riders to dismiss any false alarms from their head unit. 

Review: Wahoo Elemnt Roam
Review: Specialized S-Works Roubaix 

In the event of a real emergency - and if the alarm is not dismissed from the Element GPS unit - the Ride App will then notify the cyclist's chosen emergency contacts that an incident has happened.

The Specialized ANGi is a helmet-mounted sensor, both available separately and included with some of their higher end helmets such as the S-Works Prevail, and measures the forces transmitted to a helmet during a crash. Wahoo say the partnership is "part of a broader effort to improve safety by continuously improving live tracking technologies."

wahoo x specialized angi sensors 2

Former World Tour pro Ian Boswell, who now races for Wahoo's own gravel-focussed team, says: “When I crashed and suffered a concussion while racing Tirreno-Adriatico, there was a race doctor and medical support following closely behind the peloton. But when I’m at home in Vermont or riding gravel in remote locations, help of any kind can be further away. My ANGi helmet provides me reassurances that if something goes wrong, I’m not alone. It brings peace of mind to my wife and I every time I head out. With this new ELEMNT integration, my ANGi helmet is even easier to use."

The feature is only available on iOS from today, and users will need to update both their Elemnt companion app and Specialized Ride App to start using the feature. Wahoo say Android support is coming soon. 

Do you agree with Mr Boswell that this latest tech could improve safety, or are you not convinced? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments as always... 

Jack Sexty

Arriving at road.cc in 2017 via 220 Triathlon Magazine, Jack dipped his toe in most jobs on the site and over at eBikeTips before being named the new editor of road.cc in 2020, much to his surprise. His cycling life began during his students days, when he cobbled together a few hundred quid off the back of a hard winter selling hats (long story) and bought his first road bike - a Trek 1.1 that was quickly relegated to winter steed, before it was sadly pinched a few years later. Creatively replacing it with a Trek 1.2, Jack mostly rides this bike around local cycle paths nowadays, but when he wants to get the racer out and be competitive his preferred events are time trials, sportives, triathlons and pogo sticking - the latter being another long story.  

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2 comments

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Simon E | 4 years ago
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Hmmm. This is the Ian Boswell who said that every head injury is like a fingerprint - unique - and that crash sensors in helmets aren't really helpful. It was part of a very interesting interview with The Cycling Podcast released last week. But Wahoo pay his wages.

Maybe 'smart' helmets and live tracking have their place but I'm not sure this kind of thing is really the way to address rider safety.

Avatar
AllegedlyAnthony replied to Simon E | 4 years ago
2 likes
Simon E wrote:

Hmmm. This is the Ian Boswell who said that every head injury is like a fingerprint - unique - and that crash sensors in helmets aren't really helpful. It was part of a very interesting interview with The Cycling Podcast released last week. But Wahoo pay his wages.

Maybe 'smart' helmets and live tracking have their place but I'm not sure this kind of thing is really the way to address rider safety.

To be fair to Boswell, this doesn't claim to treat or diagnose these unique head injuries. It just calls for help if you crash and can't call yourself. My concern is the user reviews on Specialized's Angi webpage...

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