FORCITE has officially launched its MK1 smart motorcycle helmet, which gets rid of the HUD in favor of an LED light strip system, HD wide-angle camera, Bluetooth comms unit, VOIP intercom, and a handlebar-mounted control unit.
The Forcite MK1 will contain a nice chin-mounted camera capable of recording in 1080p/30 fps, with a 166° wide-angle lens. The camera turns on automatically as the lid turns on, and can record continuously for five hours, so it’s ideal for action and dashcam purposes.
Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to send video to your phone after recording, or indeed stream live as you ride. The MK1 should be a great lid for Motovloggers, with its built-in noise cancelling microphones allowing you to record yourself talking as you ride.
It features a dual-band Bluetooth as well with 40mm built-in speakers So you can listen to music and podcasts, talk on the phone and take navigation instructions from your phone. There's also a bike-to-bike intercom, it's a VOIP instead of Bluetooth so it’ll only connect to other Forcite helmets. It’s safe to assume a working range of around 1000 meters - which will increase as other Focite helmets are piggybacked by the system.
Forcite founder Alfred Boyadgis says he considers the idea of a HUD in a motorcycle helmet a step too far. "HUD's are a dangerous distraction," he said. "They impede your vision and are hard to interpret, especially at speed." as a substitute, the MK1 will use LED strip system to communicate to the rider visually.
The strip runs along the bottom of the visor opening area and will flash navigation instructions in the form of moving green lights on the side you need to turn. The orange lights mean caution, and a flashing blue and red light indicate there might be police activity ahead. Pretty handy, right? The information gathered from ‘multiple sources’ can be modified through the phone app, so that the rider isn’t bombarded with flashing lights.
Despite all the flashing lights and camera tech, the 1,400 mAh battery should still last around five hours, depending on what other features the rider is operating.
The helmet itself is available in a full gloss or matte carbon shell, which keeps the weight down to a mega light 1,550 grams. It has eight air vents, an adjustable rear spoiler, and a removable, anti-bacterial/odor liner - plus a drop-down internal sun visor.
To operate the helmets accessories it comes with a wireless controller that clips onto the handlebars of the motorcycle. The controller will also let the rider delete all the camera footage if it’s not action-packed enough...
Forcite says the MK1 is "packed with AI" and "learns more about your riding style every time you wear the helmet," although it's unclear what it learns, or what it does with its learnings.
The first 1,000 Founders Edition lids are selling for around US$1,120, making the Mk1 an expensive investment. However, t's full carbon and has all the bells and whistles you could ever desire.
Although the lid is due to be released solely in Australia this December, it shouldn’t be too long before it makes it to Europene shores - we hope.
