Motorcycle helmet calls for help

[Bob]

Brycen Spencer, a student from the University of Massachusetts has equipped a motorcycle helmet with “Wireless Guardian” technology.

If the equipment senses an impact, the unit is judge if the rider is OK. If not, it automatically calls 911 and – using GPS technology - reports your location to the emergency services.

Details are sketchy as to how the unit knows you are OK – assumption is that this is a combination of movement and helmet position.

Spencer has filed a provisional patent and hopes a major manufacturer will show interest.

[skidMark]

Hmmmm

don't always hit ya head in an off though...

doesn't mean you are okay. i wouldn't want it, you don't always want the cops to show up if ya stack it.

[Romeo]

don't always hit ya head in an off though...

It would probably have a panic button on it. Plus, I question whether it's possible to be knocked unconscious without head trauma. If you're going to be mentally incapacitated in a crash without any helmet impacts I'd probably say that you haven't got much chance of survival anyway.

i wouldn't want it, you don't always want the cops to show up if ya stack it.

It's got a 60 second safe mode before it calls the cops, so you can deactivate it if it's only a minor off - pretty smart! I'd definitely pay extra for this, it would go down well with the missus/family that's for sure!

[skidMark]

It's got a 60 second safe mode before it calls the cops, so you can deactivate it if it's only a minor off - pretty smart! I'd definitely pay extra for this, it would go down well with the missus/family that's for sure!

did not know that....

[Patch]

There are alarms with the GPS function for this proviso already on the market - it triggers similar to how an airbag sensor does.

With the GPS thing, you can pay to have it monitored 24/7, and when the crash sensor is activated Mr. Monitor will ring your mobile, if no response from you - emergency services are dispatched to your location.

Pretty similar if some bastard nicks ya bike - only difference is you ring them or use the software to track it via interweb thingy.


Pretty dam handy me thinks.

BlackHawk

[DingoZ]

Certainly be handy in some rural areas. If the rider was able to be located by GPS, would be a time shortener for emergency services...

[RiderInBlack]

There are alarms with the GPS function for this proviso already on the market - it triggers similar to how an airbag sensor does.

With the GPS thing, you can pay to have it monitored 24/7, and when the crash sensor is activated Mr. Monitor will ring your mobile, if no response from you - emergency services are dispatched to your location.


Pretty dam handy me thinks.

BlackHawk

Hope the helmet is not like that. Accidental drop ya helmet in the Wop-wops. GPS is activated. Monitor Man goes ta ring ya mobile. Oops no reception. Emergency services dispatched and ya not there Would go for the kill switch option. If ya OK, ya would be able ta stop it. I wonder how many places in NZ are not locatable with GPS?

[Patch]

I've never lost (had issues getting) signal with my gps. Neither have tramping and/or 4WD buddies who frequent the whop whops, back country make your own road type of places.

Cellphone coverage is slightly different tho.

If your vehicle is being monitored and a false alarm was triggered, no answer or reception, you would hope that the said monitoring technician would notice that your vehicle was mobile again and refrain from activating said services until you were contacted. You also have the option of having a nominated person being contactable as well. Similar to what we have when we have an accident on the track at Suzuki days.


There is always the extreme risk of the absolute worst happening - no amount of preparation can stop that.

[Ixion]

So long as you can see the sky, you'll get GPS OK anywhere in NZ (probably in the world) . I usually get 7 or 8 satellites, well over the 3 minimum requirement.

The weak link is the cell phone.

[vagrant]

The weak link is the cell phone.

Literally.
The system uses GPS to work out where it is, and then transmits that info as a txt message.(effectively its a GPS reciever hooked up to a prepayed cellphone) So if you do have a stack, and are in an area with no cell coverage, the unit will know where it is, but won't be able to tell anyone.

[The Pastor]

On my last off, I couldnt move for a good 2 mins, I was fine, but unable to move. I'd be pissed if the system called the cops lol.

But if you go off a cliff somewhere it might be handy.