Helmet impact sensor

**orangeback** · 27th January 2008, 20:12

what do you guys think about theses ,
something you would want on your lid ?

Q: What exactly does the sensor do?
A: It monitors the acceleration level on your helmet’s outer shell, and activates (turns red) if the acceleration exceeds a predetermined level for more than a certain amount of time. This acceleration level has been calibrated with your helmet type and data from your sport. A red Shok-SpotR™ indicates a severe impact and probable helmet damage, which can be invisible.

Q: What does it take to set it off?
A: A significant fraction of the shell acceleration seen in a typical sporting accident or vehicle crash will set it off. The sensor, it’s housing, mounting system, and mounting location have all been carefully calibrated in independent laboratory tests. The tests utilize headform weights to simulate an accident. It is possible to activate the sensor when you are not wearing the helmet also. This may or may not damage the helmet, but it is abusive handling and indicates returning the helmet to its manufacturer to ensure your safety.

Q: Will the sensor work if the helmet is impacted on the sides, back, front?
A: The sensor calibrations include left rear, right rear, left front, right front, rear, and front impacts. All calibration impacts are on or above industry-standard “test lines”. These are the imaginary lines on your helmet above which the helmet must meet the impact test criteria for the standard it has been certified to (e.g. D.O.T., Snell, NOCSAE, ASTM). In other words, your helmet is not required to pass impacts tests below the test line and Shok-SpotR™ is not and cannot be calibrated there. So it is possible to damage your helmet in those areas without activating the sensor. This is one of many reasons that our instructions urge you to have the helmet inspected if it has been impacted hard or you see visual signs of damage, whether the sensor has turned red or not.

Q: Which helmets does it work with?
A: Any brand new helmet of the rigid-shell and impact-absorbing liner type that that carries one or more of the following certifications: Snell, D.O.T., ASTM, EN, NOCSAE. If you are unsure whether your helmet applies, or which version of the Shok-SpotR™ you should use, e-mail us at the tech help line on the Contacts page.

Note: Seemingly innocent events like repeated mild impacts and helmet aging can slowly degrade a helmet’s performance. A degraded helmet may affect the Shok-SpotR™ calibration. This is why we cannot guarantee your satisfaction if the sensor is installed on a used helmet.

Q: Does it tell me that my helmet is damaged?
A: No. If it turns red, it tells you that an impact has occurred that probably reduced the helmet’s effectiveness.

**Disco Dan** · 27th January 2008, 20:17

Looks like a good idea, but a bit big... will ruin the nice graphics...

**Headbanger** · 27th January 2008, 20:28

Anyone who is smart enough to care about their helmet would just get rid of it after an event that may have damaged it, No need for a sticker, Surely there are other indicators of an impact.....Like the bin that happened 0.3 seconds before your helmet hit something.

My brand new $400 helmet fell off my handlebars, made an almighty crack as it hit the ground. No need for a sticker to tell me it ain't up to its job anymore.

And people that don't care, will ignore it anyway.

**Hitcher** · 27th January 2008, 20:29

What next. An indicator to let you know you've whacked your head. Do they do them for boots too so you know when you've stubbed your toe?

**Toaster** · 27th January 2008, 21:47

Just ride inside a big ball of bubblewrap.

**beyond** · 27th January 2008, 22:00

"A: It monitors the acceleration level on your helmet’s outer shell, and activates (turns red) if the acceleration exceeds a predetermined level for more than a certain amount of time."

I'd have to buy one after every ride. You've heard about the torque on the 1400's right?

**phaedrus** · 27th January 2008, 22:07

interesting, i can see it being used to watch what happens when you aren't around your helmet, depending on how sensitive it is. (did the cleaners at work drop something on it etc....)

**Ducman** · 27th January 2008, 22:13

Hey! maybe I could use one to cover up the damage from the last impact!

**Big Dog** · 27th January 2008, 23:16

Great idea but I see it as if they are smart enough to buy one of these then they are smart enough to ditch the helmet when damaged or likely to have been.
Now, if one were integrated into he look of the helmet that would be different.
If they came with helmets or buying one came with a reduction in ACC leavy of equal or greater value you might have a bit more take up.

**Ixion** · 27th January 2008, 23:31

OK, on the face of it, it seems rather stupid. Surely, you know if you've bashed y' bonce.

But, I see one situation where it could be very useful. If you crash, it's not always too easy for the ambos to know if you've bashed y' head. Obvious, sometimes, like y' helmet's smashed in bits. But sometimes the helmet looks Ok but you can still have nasty concussion type shit. One of these could tell the ambos,"Oh Oh , he's banged his head". And with that sort of injury the sooner they are on to it, the better y' chances.

But of course it would have to be common enough that they knew what they were looking at.

**orangeback** · 28th January 2008, 12:29

Originally Posted by beyond

"I'd have to buy one after every ride. You've heard about the torque on the 1400's right?

ive heard about the torue but but i couldnt find it. i sold my 99 blade & test road one (gsx1400 ) my old katana would have wipped its arse in most feilds

**Disco Dan** · 28th January 2008, 14:34

Originally Posted by phaedrus

interesting, i can see it being used to watch what happens when you aren't around your helmet, depending on how sensitive it is. (did the cleaners at work drop something on it etc....)

That would be handy!

I remember a while back someone on here used to keep their lid on the top shelf in their office... someone tried to get something and sort of 'climbed' up the shelving.. knocking it onto the floor.

It would be proof enough for cleaner/workmate etc that they had damaged your helmet and would have to replace it.