Where to Ski And Snowboard - World’s first smart ski helmet launched

World’s first smart ski helmet launched

29th September 2015, by Abi Butcher

The Forcite™ Alpine helmet combines an action camera, UHF radio, headphones and GPS tracker in one

The world’s first smart ski helmet is being launched in Sydney, Australia. The helmet, called Forcite™ Alpine, will allow users to film their runs, communicate with friends on the slopes, take phone calls and track their day on the mountain.

The helmet has been designed by a group of Sydney-based skiers, snowboarders and tech guys who got frustrated with the amount of gear they had to carry around, said co-founder Charlie Stack, “so we built something better”.

Forcite Alpine is currently appealing for crowdfunding via the website Kickstarter, with the aim of raising AUS$200,000 (around £92,420), enabling it to start production on the helmet in January.

The slim profile helmet combines an action camera, UHF radio, headphones and GPS tracker in one, with Bluetooth and wifi — all within the size of a pack of playing cards, and with a battery power of up to eight hours. The helmet has been tested on the slopes in Australia and New Zealand and designed to meet global safety standards approved for alpine sports — ASTM F2040 and EN 1077

Stack continues: “From today, 29 September skiers, snowboarders and extreme sports fans can order their helmet via Kickstarter. With delivery set for January, people will get to use Forcite Alpine within the EU and USA season.”

The company aims to deliver the first helmets in January 2016, and is offering the first 250 backers on the crowdfunding website Kickstarter the chance to receive an Early Bird edition of the helmet if they pledge $649 (around £300) or more. When they go on sale, the Forcite™ Alpine helmets will retail for “more than $799” (£370) each.

The helmet will be available in metallic and matte black or matte white, in sizes XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL. All are available with free international shipping.