When it comes to precarious roads, Thailand often springs to mind- holding a rather infamous ranking as the 9th globally for road traffic fatalities as per a survey conducted by the World Health Organization. Each day, road calamities paint an unfortunately familiar picture in our lives.
One particular aspect that stands out in relation to road accidents in this South East Asian country is the high percentage of these road-related mishaps linked to motorcycles – a startling figure of over 80%. This alarming statistic is undoubtedly linked to the widespread use of motorcycles, making motorcycle safety a significant concern that different sectors have been grappling with for years now.
Now, meet a game-changing technology that promises to respond to these gruesome statistics – the UltraFusion-X1. This bright beacon is a breakthrough smart helmet, the brainchild of Protomate, a homegrown Thai tech start-up.
The UltraFusion-X1 is not just a helmet; it’s a wearable technology hub designed with the primary objective of heightening the safety of motorcycle riders. It houses an AI-empowered system which acts as an extra layer of keen eyes, surveilling the surrounding environment and sounding alarm bells at signs of lurking dangers.
More than a shell providing protection upon impact, it harvests the potential of technology through its various features. It sports four in-built cameras, giving the rider a panoramic 360-degree field of vision. Enumerable motion sensors measure acceleration and angular velocity in all 3 axes, while the GPS-enhanced sensors zero in on the rider’s precise position in real-time.
These advanced, robust detection systems feed valuable data into the AI-Blindspot Warning System. This system makes judicious use of machine learning to make sense of these data in real-time and throws up warnings upon spotting potential hazards. It’s akin to having your personal risk-assessment officer on duty each time you ride, helping you steer clear of blind spots and other risks.
From a user’s standpoint, the helmet amps up convenience by enabling direct control of various functions via a dedicated smartphone application, making it a breeze to perform future software upgrades and enhancements.
All these fancy features do not compromise on durability either. The UltraFusion-X1 has a sturdy framework – a construction from carbon fibre composite material known for its remarkable strength, resistance to heat & chemicals, and lightweight. The helmet comes with a solid-state battery that can stand its ground against harsh impacts. Further, the helmet boasts certifications from safety standards, including TIS. 369-2557 and ECER22.05, bearing testament to its robust construction.
This high-tech helmet isn’t just about safety. It’s also about making every ride a memorable one. Equipped with 4K 30 FPS video recording cameras (with an impressive resolution of 12 million pixels), it brings your every ride to life, capturing high-quality, well-detailed images and videos.
To ensure smooth video recording and playback, the helmet employs anti-shake technology during video recording. The helmet houses an internal memory, where these precious snapshots and videos of your journey remain safely stored. Both reviewing and managing these videos is a breeze with the dedicated mobile application provided by the company.
Furthermore, the smart helmet also has a convenient built-in microphone that facilitates instant communication with smartphones. This feature, coupled with a noise-cancelling system, allows riders to freely communicate via their mobile phones without actually having to handle them physically during their ride.
The helmet has Bluetooth 5.0 and 2.4 GHz WIFI connectivity to its name, ensuring smooth communications and navigations, regardless of your location. With this smart helmet set to hit the market in March 2024, it’s hoped to bring about a sea change in the way motorcycles are ridden.
The UltraFusion-X1 with all its bells and whistles comes in at 54,900 Baht. The UltraFusion-M1, the cheaper variant with only two cameras and sans the AI system, has a price tag of 39,900 Baht. Yes, these smart helmets might seem a pricey affair, but when weighed against their state-of-the-art features and the promise of unparalleled safety they bear, they can surely be viewed as worthwhile, possibly life-saving investments.
This revolutionary invention is an encored affirmation of the novel solutions emerging Thai startups are offering, making the world sit up and take note. They stand as impressive contenders in the global technology race, turning the tides in the name of safety, convenience, and tech-empowered lives.
Thank you for sharing