Industry News
At some point, while on the mountain, most skiers and snowboarders will get separated from their group. This usually happens because the group is too spread out, or some members of the group can ski down the mountain faster than others. It can be frustrating, especially for someone who may be skiing at a resort they have never been to. For most, the solution is to take out their phone and text or call members of the group to find out where they are on the mountain. However, a company has designed a new helmet to eliminate this problem.
The POC Obex BC Spin helmet is a high-end ski and snowboard helmet that is designed to enhance communication between individuals and groups. It is a helmet that has a unique Mesh communication system that allows users to communicate with each other in closed groups as they ride around the mountain, all simply with the touch of a button. With Sound by Harman Kardon, the Obex Connect brings class-leading audio and connect Mesh technology to skiers and snowboarders. POC was founded and based in Stockholm, Sweden, and it has a mission to protect lives and reduce the consequences of accidents for athletes and anyone inspired to be one.
The Connect system is developed around POC’s well-known helmet, the Obex. An all-mountain helmet, the Obex is available in several versions, e.g., for kids or backcountry users, and has gained many fans around the world. Developed in collaboration with audio industry pioneer HARMAN, the Connect system, which houses the Mesh technology and can support music, calls, and voice assistant, will also be sold separately and can be retrofitted to all existing Obex helmets simply by changing the replaceable earpieces. “We are introducing a technology that can make a real difference. Simply pressing a button on the headset will allow those wearing it to speak to everyone in their group, even when they are some distance away,” Johan Weman, POC’s Technology and Research Director, said in a press release.
The Obex Connect provides an extra layer of safety and practicality to a host of different users and groups. Examples include families skiing in the resort, who can always maintain contact to ensure that no child or member of the group takes a wrong turn or fails to hear the call to stop. Other users could be coaches or friends who can provide immediate tips and assistance on technique as they watch others ski or board. Communication can be with an individual or with a group, such as friends who like to hang out in a group as they ski around a mountain on their annual holiday.
Clear and precise communication is also a simple prerequisite to being in the backcountry; it is not a place for ambiguity. When on a rope traversing glacial territory or setting off to the next safe spot in possible avalanche terrain, being able to communicate clearly to all will lead to better decision-making and risk evaluation. “Our integration of a mesh communication system opens a world of new opportunities, establishing better communication with various users, such as families, coaches, friends, and backcountry skiers, which will lead to enhanced protection,” Weman said.
The Connect Mesh system can be left open in public mode. This unconfigured mode allows any other Connect system to connect automatically between headsets. This is particularly useful for skiing with children who may not have a smartphone. In this instance, the headsets would connect to each other automatically.
Creating a private Mesh group is simple and would be established and managed through the Obex Connect App (Apple or Android), which has been developed specifically to allow users to connect and manage preferences for private groups. The App lets users create a group and invite specific people, up to a maximum of eight, to that group. Everyone in the group can then talk freely to each other by simply pressing their headset and unmuting their microphone, which is located in the earset.
The headset has integrated Bluetooth, which can be used as a traditional Bluetooth device to take calls, play music, and serve as a voice assistant. The right side of the headset controls all these functions. The Mesh communication system is managed from the left-side ear pad, making it easy to use and get to know. The Obex Connect helmet is built on the base of the Obex BC helmet, which has been developed for all types of skiing, including backcountry, and is already packed with enhanced safety and technology.
The New Obex Connect helmet features a lightweight EPS construction with optimized impact performance and a hybrid hardshell with adjustable integrated ventilation. An embedded passive memory chip holds medical ID informatoin and can be read from a mobile phone. In addition, the helmet features a RECCO® radar reflector, so rescue teams can always find those wearing the Connect from a distance and at speed. Inside the helmet, a Multiple Impact Protection System (MIPS®) is included, and the Connect earpads include a mic and the integration of a Mesh antenna. This allows the creation of a device network over Bluetooth. As with most Bluetooth devices, it enables smartphone and one-to-one Bluetooth communication functions.
