Smart helmet technology is no longer going to be something we just see in bulky urban commuter helmets. The new SafeSound lineup from wearables & helmet maker Coros packs smartphone connectivity, automated crash alerts, and active visibility into well-ventilated & performance commuter, road & mountain bike helmets – all of them centered around a new open ear communication system that transmits high quality sound into the ear canal while not blocking out the external environment.
Coros SafeSound connected smart cycling helmets
Building on the success of their smart Omni & Linx helmets, Coros has again shrunk their connected helmet tech down to integrate it more seamlessly into ever more high performance head protection. And at the same time the new SafeSound helmets all incorporate a newly developed Ear Opening Sound System (EOSS) that more efficiently delivers audio into the cyclist’s ear without tuning out of your surroundings.
Coros SafeSound connected smart cycling helmets – Tech Details
The heart of a modern smart helmet is how it communicates to the rider and how you communicate back to it. The Coros SafeSound family uses the new Ear Opening Sound System with direct contact, directional sound projected into the open ear from the helmet straps, rather than the bone conduction of previous models.
Coros says this delivers more clear sound quality to the rider and the possibility for higher audio volume safely, without blocking out outside environmental noises or being susceptible to vibration from the transmitters moving against your face.
To register input a new, more wind-resistant microphone allows voice control and audio calls, while a handlebar mounted, wireless smart remote enables the rider to easily manage phone calls, walkie-talkie communication, ride data, voice navigation & music playback functionality without looking away from the road or trail.
Beyond connectivity the SafeSound helmets also incorporate crash detection and emergency alerts. SafeSound helmets can be setup to detect a major impact and automatically send a text message to multiple pre-determined contacts with your exact GPS location via the paired Coros app. Once that happens, the helmet’s LED tail light will flashing an S.O.S pattern in Morse code to help garner attention from any passersby.
That LED tail light has been repositioned in the new SafeSound helmets for improved visibility on the road, and can be controlled also via the bar remote.
All in, the new SafeSound helmets feature a conventional EPS impact foam layer for crash protection with an in-molded polycarbonate shell. But by incrementally updating the materials Coros was able to shed around 10% of the weight vs. the previous premium smart helmets, bringing SafeSound family helmet weights down to 300-340g depending on model & size.
Coros SafeSound smart cycling helmets across all disciplines
The same SafeSound solution isn’t limited to a single helmet type, but is incorporated into three different variants for road, mountain, and urban riders. Coros calls the new SafeSound helmets their lightest and most advanced to date, all incorporating the same smart technologies.
Coros SafeSound Road
First up, the SafeSound Road helmet is available now for $200 in three sizes and three colors. The new EOSS equipped road helmet features 16 cooling vents delivering reliable airflow over its aero optimized EPS foam liner & polycarb shell, available in three size (S-L, 51-63cm) and three color options. The size Small claims a weight as low as 300g, while the Medium adds another 20g, plus another 20g up to Large.
Coros SafeSound Mountain
The mountain bike version of the SafeSound will be available from the start of 2019. With its 17 large vents and an adjustable visor/peak, the SafeSound Mountain smart helmet will retail for $220. The MTB helmet has a claimed weight of 320g for a size Medium and 340g for a Large.
Coros SafeSound Commuter
The SafeSound Commuter helmet is also available now for $180 in three sizes and two colors, sharing all of the same smart tech inside its 10 vents. The more closed off commuter lid is still light at a claimed 320g for a Small (320g for M, 340g for L) with its small soft brim visor.
All of the SafeSound helmets promise up to 10 hours of continued use on a single charge, and get IPX5 ratings that ward of rain & sweat (but not extended immersion). They all come with a SafeSound helmet, a smart bar mount remote & charging cable. The Coros app to manage the SafeSound helmet function & connectivity via Bluetooth 4.2 is available for iOS or Android as a free smartphone download.
