Get Ready for 4K 360-Degree Helmets

If, like us, you spend way too many hours per day watching Youtube clips of others riding when you can’t, thigs are about to get a whole lot more virtual. Action-sports helmetindustry leaders, BRG Sports, and 360-degree camera innovators, 360fly, today announced a formal partnership to develop a line of advanced helmets, featuring 360fly’s stitchless, single-lens 360-degree video capture technology.

Collaborative efforts are already underway on a line of co-branded, 360fly-integrated helmets across several of BRG Sports’ core brands and sport categories. The end result will be first-of-their-kind helmets that feature fully integrated 4K 360-degree video capable of capturing, editing and sharing content via the 360fly mobile app. Plans are to unveil a full line of working prototypes in early January at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

“Action cameras have become standard hardware for riders of all types, and the integration of 360-degree camera within helmets makes perfect sense and creates significant efficiencies and economies for these action-minded consumers,” said Peter Adderton, 360fly CEO. “Having been at the forefront of helmet innovation and technology for decades, BRG Sports was the ideal partner for us, and we’re extremely proud to be associated with such a respected family of brands.”

“The implications and possibilities of integrating video technology within helmets are profound,” said Terry Lee, Executive Chairman & CEO, BRG Sports. “360fly’s stitchless, single-lens camera combined with the immediacy of its mobile technology, is a gamechanger for the personal video space. We believe this has the potential to advance the industry into an entirely new realm.”

No longer will consumers be forced to mount action cameras to helmets utilizing external mounting accessories, or wait until they are at their PCs to download, edit and share footage. Instead, users will simply activate the helmet’s integrated single-lens 360-degree camera to capture footage, and use 360fly’s proprietary mobile app to instantly edit and share the immersive high-definition 360-degree footage they capture, whether carving through snow, tearing up the dirt, or cruising the open road.

While the introduction of integrated video is certainly a game-changer, it’s merely the first step toward the development of “smart” helmets, characterized by a variety of intuitive digital features. 360fly’s immersive single-lens camera technology enables the development of a variety of intuitive capabilities driven by motion-sensor, GPS and “machine learning” technologies. Development of these additional features will be an ongoing process; however, plans are to demonstrate specific examples at CES.

“Because our lens is seeing virtually everything in all directions, it allows us to develop and build in additional features that allow the helmet to literally communicate, delivering valuable information regarding the surrounding environment, navigation and other types of data relevant to the rider,” said Adderton. “Ultimately, the helmets will be much like today’s mobile devices, allowing users to enjoy incremental benefits and features through software updates.”

About BRG SPORTS BRG Sports is a leading designer, developer and marketer of sports equipment and accessories that enhance athletic performance and protection. With Bell, Riddell, Giro and Blackburn, the company’s brand portfolio sets the standard for innovation and excellence in football as well as snow, action and power sports. The company has grown over the years through a selective acquisition of other technology-based sporting goods companies, bringing on Riddell in 2003; Bell and Giro in 2004. For more than 80 years, sports enthusiasts at all levels have selected BRG products for their innovative designs and advanced materials. The company’s brands boast a number of “firsts,” including the first football helmet to achieve the highest protective 5-STAR rating by Virginia Tech University and first protective auto racing helmets. The company is headquartered in Scotts Valley, California and has 32 locations in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe & Asia.

About 360fly 360fly creates unique, 360-degree digital products that inspire users to capture, share and experience life’s greatest moments in 360 degrees. Our passion has led us to redefine video capture, because we believe life is too rich to capture just part of it.