Skully P1 – Interactive Motorcyle Helmet With HUD

There are unique motorcycle helmets like the Predator helmet which are meant to grab attention and from what I’ve heard, offer very little protection and then there is the Skully P1. The Skully P1 motorcycle helmet not only looks aesthetically pleasing but features a Synapse head-up (HUD) display unit which is meant to make riding safer for motorcycle enthusiasts. When it comes to motorcyclists, they need to make split-second decisions which can mean the difference between life and death. You’d think that having a head-up display on a motorcycle helmet might a hazardous move but it actually enhances the ride and provides important information for the motorcycle rider.

The Skully P1 motorcycle helmet pushes the boundaries further and is able to display a number of various pieces of information related to the trip and the current road conditions. With the Skully P1 helmet, you can follow GPS navigation indications, answer/reject phone calls, control your smartphone to play music, and you even have eyes behind you (and blind spots) with access to a 180-degree view angle rear-view camera. In the motorcycle world, emergency stops are always more dangerous for the rider because we know that a vehicle can’t stop as fast as you can. With a view behind of the rear, you may be able to make more informed decisions in emergency road situations. At this point, you may be asking yourself, won’t the HUD a distraction for the rider?

Not really, the HUD display is positioned outside of the riders primary field of view, and it appears approximately 20 feet away. This allows the rider to see the road ahead without having to worry about obstruction from the display. You no longer have to avert your eyes from the road ahead to see what is happening behind you.

The Skully P1 helmet features an internal battery which can be charged via USB and should provide enough juice for up to nine hours. Connectivity is via Bluetooth and interactions are done via voice control. The Skully website doesn’t say where the product is made but it does state that it is designed and assembled in California, USA. And don’t worry, the Skully P1 helmet meets stringent safety criteria in collision tests and has DOT and ECE safety approval. The helmet is lightweight and uses tri-composite fiberglass shell while the inside of the helmet features 3D laser cut cheek pads featuring soft lining allowing the helmet to fit snug and comfortable for the rider.

The visor on the Skully P1 is anti-fog, scratch resistant, and anti-glare with a quick release chin strap. No word on pricing yet but they are said to be available sometime in 2014. I wonder how the HUD would look at night on a dark road? Will it still display properly?

[Source: Skully]