A helmet can help protect the wearer’s head in case of a fall or accident, but it can’t call for help. What is an individual to do if he or she falls while out alone and far from home? ICEdot (In Case of Emergency) is working to provide a solution, and the company has partnered with SenseTech LLC of Denver to develop and launch a helmet-mounted impact sensor.
In the event of an accident the sensor determines the crucial forces, and can activate communications on the wearer’s smartphone to send a request for help. This could be used with cycling, skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing and even motocross helmets.
The sensor is small enough to fit into the helmet and works with an app. It can detect motion, changes in forces and notably impacts. In the case of a traumatic crash it can call for help and even send GPS coordinates.
“The ICEdot- SenseTech relationship is an important partnership that will help cut down the time between injury and effective medical treatment, specifically as it may relate to those who sustain head injuries,” said ICEdot CEO, Chris Zenthoefer. “As an active cyclist, I know of accidents where people should not have continued on or were left unresponsive without help. This sensor, now coupled with the ICEdot service, assures individuals that in the event of serious head impact, they are aware of the types of forces that they have experienced, and if they are not responsive, emergency contacts can be immediately notified.”
The device will be on display at the Wearable Technologies Conference in San Francisco this week.