Motorcycles

Sena's intelligent motorcycle helmet keeps a lid on unwanted noise

Sena's intelligent motorcycle helmet keeps a lid on unwanted noise
The Sena INC helmet is controlled by two buttons; the one on the left, above the ear cup powers on and off the INC system, while the right one controls the Ambient Mode. Lower on the left side is the Bluetooth connecting dock.
The Sena INC helmet is controlled by two buttons; the one on the left, above the ear cup powers on and off the INC system, while the right one controls the Ambient Mode. Lower on the left side is the Bluetooth connecting dock.
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in black
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in black
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Natural Carbon Fiber
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Natural Carbon Fiber
At a cruising speed of 65 mph the Sena INC helmet can reduce noise well below the 100 dB limit
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At a cruising speed of 65 mph the Sena INC helmet can reduce noise well below the 100 dB limit
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Natural Carbon Fiber
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Natural Carbon Fiber
The Sena INC helmet is controlled by two buttons; the one on the left, above the ear cup powers on and off the INC system, while the right one controls the Ambient Mode. Lower on the left side is the Bluetooth connecting dock.
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The Sena INC helmet is controlled by two buttons; the one on the left, above the ear cup powers on and off the INC system, while the right one controls the Ambient Mode. Lower on the left side is the Bluetooth connecting dock.
The Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet is designed to accept any of Sena's Bluetooth communication systems
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The Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet is designed to accept any of Sena's Bluetooth communication systems
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Silver
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Silver
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Silver
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Silver
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in White
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in White
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Hi-Viz Yellow
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The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Hi-Viz Yellow
View gallery - 10 images

Riding a motorcycle at highway speeds inevitably entails pressurized air forcing its way through the helmet’s ventilation channels. This generates a constant buzzing that can be at least irritating, if not a health risk. Earplugs offer a popular solution, although isolating the rider from his surroundings is seldom a good idea. Sena’s Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet for the first time offers a smart system that promises to filter out only the useless noise from the rider’s hearing spectrum.

Sena has been designing Bluetooth communication systems specifically targeted to motorcyclists since 1998 and several of its products have been reviewed by Gizmag – such as the 20S and the 10C Bluetooth camera combo. Its expertise in high-quality motorcycle communication systems was apparently put to good use in designing the world’s first Intelligent Noise-Cancelling (INC) helmet.

The central idea of this system is to cancel the annoying and harmful noise bandwidth without isolating the rider from the surrounding sounds that play an important role in riding safety. The smart helmet is equipped with four hidden microphones that intercept sound and transmit it to the central INC module integrated into the lower back of the helmet. This calculates the appropriate wave patterns that will level out the annoying noises and play them directly to the ear cups that are also fabricated into the helmet.

At a cruising speed of 65 mph the Sena INC helmet can reduce noise well below the 100 dB limit
At a cruising speed of 65 mph the Sena INC helmet can reduce noise well below the 100 dB limit

According to Sena, the system effectively limits sound well below the 100 dB barrier that is deemed harmful to the rider’s health over sustained periods of time, while allowing sounds like horns, sirens or even the motorcycle’s engine to be heard clearly.

An extra feature of the INC system is the Ambient Mode which can be activated at the push of a button on the left side of the helmet and will come in handy when the rider needs to communicate with someone without removing the helmet, for instance when stopping for fuel. By using the embedded microphones, every discussion will be heard inside the helmet loud and clear.

The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Natural Carbon Fiber
The Sena Intelligent Noise-Cancelling helmet in Natural Carbon Fiber

Sena’s system is built into a modern carbon fiber helmet with an EPS foam interior and washable lining made of soft COOL-Quick Dry fabric. The INC system itself includes four microphones, two ear cups and the control module with its own battery. There is also a provision to add a Bluetooth communication system, as the INC is compatible with all of Sena’s existing systems.

Fully equipped with an optional communication system, the smart helmet weighs 3.5 lb (1.6 kg).

The Sena INC helmet will be sold with a clear and a tinted visor, at an as yet undisclosed price. It is expected to hit the market in early 2016.

See a short presentation of the innovative helmet in Sena's promo video below.

Sena Smart Helmet - The World's First Intelligent Noise-Control™ Helmet

Source: Sena

View gallery - 10 images
5 comments
5 comments
swaan
Looks like you can buy a used CBR for the price of one!
RickeyHoltsclaw
That's great!!! A motorcycle helmet that actually protects the "hearing" of the motorcyclist...what a novel and needed safety accessory. Now, how about the rest of us that are, on a daily basis, assaulted by illegal motorcycle NOISE from the Loud Biker Cult[ure], NOISE that is two-four-six times (logarithmic scale) the legal total MC noise emissions of 80 dB(A)?
Seeing that our State and local law enforcement is too cowardly, apathetic, or participatory to protect us from these NOISE thugs, and Gina McCarthy, Admin. of the EPA, refuses to control the illegal marketing strategies of the Motorcycle Aftermarket Exhaust Industry, how about some respite for the rest of us who are forced to listen to these miscreants - Village People Impersonators?
Thank you,
Rick Holtsclaw, Houston PD/Retired Loud Motorcycles Suck - Facebook and Youtube - Exposing LOUD biker thuggery!!!
itsdavidking
WOW !!! Just wow....the helmet is too much glossy and attractive to me. I just fall in love with this. Can I add this to my own personal biking blog, http://mybestmotorcyclehelmet.com/ ?
Thanks for featuring this one :D
IndependentResearcher
RickeyHoltsclaw,
Motorcyclists like loud bikes because they alert mindless people encased within a steel and glass cocoon NOT TO KILL THEM with their car/truck/SUV.
GadzGadrinab
This is a high-tech motorcycle helmet and no wonder it is one of the best helmet in this generation. It has a great color combination and awesome design with amazing feature. I would like to add this and feature it in my website http://www.bikegearup.com/ , if you would allow it?