In 2014 Harley Davidson Landspeed Record Holder Steve Huff was quoted saying “This helmet is going to change the future of racing”, and it wasn’t until several months later when I succumbed to the hype known as Skully AR-1.
Once upon a time our editor Mano ten Napel used to be all about his motorbike. His two wheel machine was his baby. So it was with an excited nudge from him that I finally decided to explore the smart helmet that has successfully grabbed the attention of many.
Having raised 979% over their original Indiegogo campaign target, the future of Skully looks bright. I am sure their wow features played a part in reaching their goal and beyond. The Skully helmet brags a heads up display that will show you critical information in your line of sight which will allow you to keep your eyes on the road ahead, a GPS integrated navigation system that will give you timely information even in low-reception areas, and a wide angle rear view camera.
The lightweight and aerodynamic smart helmet has been designed with the wearer’s safety in mind. Boasting a DOT/ECE safety certification, the Skully AR-1 specs include an anti-fog, anti-scratch, anti-glare visor, vision enhancement, audio/visual GPS Navigation and a quick release chin strap and visor
Founded in 2013 by Mitchell and Marcus Weller, the smart helmet is truly ahead of its time. It not only keeps you safe but it also keeps you connected via Bluetooth and the internet connectivity via a smartphone.
Take your pick of either a Matte Black or Gloss White smart helmet. Available in sizes small to XXL this bad boy can be all yours for an investment price that starts from $1999.
Update: 8th of august 2016:
It has been a hectic week at Skully Systems. Ending up in pulling the plug on what once was called one of the most successful crowdfunding campaigns.
Sources within Skully expressed to TechCrunch that “the startup had run out of money and was trying to sell itself off to a subsidiary of Chinese conglomerate LeECo called LeSport.” But the founders and investors weren’t able to align their focus on how to spend money on several manufacturing issues. In a letter to their customers Skully expressed: “Over the past several weeks our management team has worked feverishly to raise additional capital, but unforeseen challenges and circumstances, beyond our control, made this effort impossible,”
Skully will now be filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which means that those who invested an amount of $1500 to $1999 for the augmented reality helmet most likely won’t be getting a refund on their pre-orders. A straight crowdfunding disaster.
Founding editor-in-chief of FashNerd.com, Muchaneta is currently one of the leading influencers writing about the merger of fashion with technology and wearable technology. She has also given talks at Premiere Vision, Munich Fabric Start and Pure London, to name a few. Besides working as a fashion innovation consultant for various fashion companies like LVMH Atelier, Muchaneta has also contributed to Vogue Business, is a senior contributor at The Interline and an associate lecturer at London College of Fashion, UAL.
