AHEAD: turn any helmet into a smart communication hub

May 31, 2017 Dusan Johnson Crowdfunding, Cycling, Sports tracker 2 min read

Ahead is a smart device that snaps onto any helmet, enabling you to control your smartphone and keep in touch safely while on the go.

The wearable was originally designed for construction workers to communicate while on the job. The company has now turned to Kickstarter to bring Ahead to the rest of the world.

Attach this triangle-shaped communication device to your existing helmet and you will be able to enjoy a full range of audio capabilities such making calls, group chats or listening to music, all hands-free. AHEAD connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth for over-the-air communication. Best of all, there are no cords to get tangled in or bulky head-sets.

The smart device is different from ordinary Bluetooth headsets in that it uses an oscillator to pass sound directly into your helmet, i.e, it transmits sound via vibration. This enables you to clearly hear music and conversations while on the go, regardless of the noise level around you. With a simple click you can also get notifications such as navigation instructions and more.

While clearly hearing audio is important, it is only one half of the equation. AHEAD’s unique Clear Voice Capture technology uses two narrow-angle mics ensuring you are heard clearly even on noisy city streets or windy conditions. This means, no more shouting or fuffing around with annoying mics in front of your mouth.

AHEAD works with or without an accompanying app. Using the iOS or Android app has the advantage of allowing you to customize buttons, enable push-to-talk and letting you tweak other settings.

The standby time is three days. You can listen to music for six hours continuously and make calls for up to eight hours. The gadget comes with two types of helmet mounts and a special flat mount that lets you turn any flat surface in your home or office into a speaker.