Skully Systems plans to change the motorcycling industry. The helmet is one of the most important accessories of the driver. We have seen many movies where Bond style chasing featured a motorcycle with visual info displayed on the helmet. Skully is going to offer us something similar from 2015 with Skully AR-1 helmet.
A similar product was introduced recently as well, only that this time is aimed at car drivers. The dashboard device Navdy will feature a transparent display and will change your driving experience.
Skully’s IndieGoGo campaign managed to exceed the developers’ wildest dreams. They managed to collect more than $700.000. They set up a goal of just $250.000. They will probably manage to raise much more, as the number increases by the minute. So far more than 500 riders support the project.
What does the helmet offer? Firstly, a stunningly sexy design. The helmet will come in all sizes. The heads up display is transparent and the data is placed conveniently. The GPS navigation will come up straight on the display. The helmet will offer rear images recorded by an ultra wide angle rear view camera.
Skully AR-1 helmet has a rear camera to dramatically raise road safety
Skully AR-1 helmet has the required safety certificates. Its visor is resistant to fog, scratch and glare. Connections with other devices, with the smartphone as a main candidate, are ensured through Bluetooth. SKully says there is Internet available through the phone as well. Moreover, Skully AR-1 features ‘Intelligent audio’, hands-free calling and can stream music.
The device supports many applications, but Skully will release a SDK along with the beta units, so programmers will further come up with new app ideas for the intelligent helmet. As useful as they are, Skully does offers a rather limited array of apps. Thus, a SDK is more than welcomed.
Skully AR-1 helmet has a battery life of around 9 hours. Recharging is very easy through a micro-USB cable. Luckily, the GPS maps will function even if you are outside of the operator’s coverage, which is highly probable, because you bought a motorcycle to go wild.
Skully founder and CEO Marcus Weller told CNET that “Our team watched in amazement on the big screen this morning while the numbers kept rising. We are honored to have the opportunity to serve and transform this industry we love,” he said. “We are looking forward to an exciting future for Skully.”
The Skully AR-1 helmet won’t come cheap. The starting price is $1399 for the Rebel Early Adopter, in Skully’s terms. It ships internationally as well for $1599. The helmet will ship starting with mid-2015.