On top of their recent TT & affordable aero helmets, Abus is set to debut all-new integrated Quin smart chips to make four of their existing road & trail helmets safer in the event of a crash. Designed to send crash alerts to an emergency contact via Bluetooth connection to a smartphone app, the Quin tech is already established in motorcycle helmets, and brings safety to cycling helmets at a reasonable price and little weight penalty.
Abus Quin crash alert, smart Q-Sensor chip equipped helmets
Crash alert chips are certainly not a new idea (think: Specialized ANGi & Briko Cerebellum helmets, or even TILT hub sensors), but more application of the tech could mean safer cyclists. And ubiquity likely will drive prices down as well.
How does the Quin smart chip work?
The integrated Quin smart chip does what we’ve come to expect, connecting to your mobile phone via Bluetooth to manage crash alerts. Abus says the system uses “a complex algorithm measuring factors like impact, changes in velocity, concussion threshold, rotational and linear inertial changes” to determine when to call for help. So, once the sensor in the helmet detects a suitable impact, a 15 second countdown starts on the companion Quin app. If the rider cannot stop the countdown manually after a minor crash (or a false alarm?), the app will send an alert to a preset emergency contact including the location of your crash. Then it is up to your contact to call for emergency help, if they can’t get in contact without.
The cost of adding the Quin Q-Sensor smart chip with its accelerometer, transmitter & micro-USB rechargeable battery to the four existing Abus helmets ranges from around 50-65€ more than the base models (possibly as little as $40 extra in the US). And the small sensor & communication chip embedded in the EPS at the back of the helmet is said to add an additional 20g.
Abus Quin smart crash alert helmets – Pricing & options
For mountain bikers, Quin tech comes to the Abus’ premier MonTrailer trail bike helmet and to the more affordable Moventor. Curiously, the Quin smart chip is meant to boost rider safety, but so Abus is putting Quin into the base level MonTrailer, not the ones available with a MIPS ant-rotation liner. In any case, the MonTrailer Quin will sell for 220€ and the Moventor Quin will sell for 165€, with all the other same tech details as the non-chipped varieties, just 20g heavier.
On the road side of things Abus brings the Quin crash alert tech to two helmets, as well – their top-level, most ventilated Aventor & the more affordable, vented Viantor. The Aventor Quin will sell for 200€, while the Viantor Quin is a bit cheaper at 155€, both again 20g heavier than their non-smart counterparts.
None of the Abus Quin helmets are available just yet, but they are expected to make their way to shops & online retailers later this summer.
