Automatic Brake Lights. Turn Signals. Crash Detection. Bluetooth Compatible. (And I’m Not Talking About My Tesla…)
These are the distinguishing features of the bike helmet I just got for myself last week. When I got into cycling, I knew I wanted the absolute best protection… but I didn’t realize I could get all that and more from a safety accessory.
It’s called the FARO Smart Helmet by UNIT 1, and it looks nothing like the clunky buckets people normally wear—it’s actually stylish. In just two years, UNIT 1 has sold 20,000 of them, they’ve been raved about in Forbes, Cycling News, and Discerning Cyclist, and they’ve racked up some serious accolades in the form of a Red Dot Design award and gold prize at the iF Design Awards.
UNIT 1 clearly delivered on their idea after raising over $1M in crowdfunding in less than a year. It was just a matter of time before something like this caught my attention.
I found out about FARO from some tech heads I follow on Twitter, and when I first took a look at their site, I thought it was a cool gadget. After doing more research and trying it out for myself, I now think it’s revolutionizing the entire concept of road safety. Here’s how.
UNIT 1’s Award-Winning Design Team & a Revolutionary Helmet
UNIT 1 has a simple mission: redefine riders’ safety through technology and design. They worked for years on a product that would incorporate more than just the usual safety features, the main thing being 500+ lumen lights in the front and rear of the helmet. They also added some incredible bonuses like turn signals and automatic brake lights.
You can tell just by looking at a FARO helmet that it’s a step into the future. Sleek contours, modern design, and it lights up the room (literally). After seeing just how safe these helmets are and learning all that they’re capable of, I instantly bought one for my nephew.
FARO is Sleek, Smart, Safe… and Downright Sexy
The first thing I noticed when I started researching the FARO helmet was the average rating of 4.9 stars. I mean people love this thing. And even at first glance, it’s easy to love the look of it. FARO comes in three different sizes and in four colors: Maverick (blue), Stingray (gray), Blackbird (black), and Juniper (green).
Each colorway has this smooth, matte finish with a mesh fabric liner on the back that features another hidden layer of lights to complement the main strips on the front and the back. Plus, the helmets come installed with the Mips® Safety System, a low-friction liner that absorbs extra rotational impact if you get into an accident and significantly reduces the risk of concussion or brain injury.
FARO checked all the necessary boxes like certifications, high absorption of impact, dust and rain-resistance, etc. But it also checked some boxes I’d never heard of before in a helmet, like a built-in crash detection software that can send a text to your emergency contact if you don’t respond.
It was definitely a little pricey, but it was still cheaper than another light-up helmet I’ve considered buying before (and seemed to have way more features).
Unboxing This Beauty
I went with the Juniper colorway, and added on the Turn Signals and Automatic Brake Lights to get the full experience. FARO comes with free express shipping, which is pretty rare in the product world. Good for me though, because the helmet arrived in just a few days.
Right off the bat, I could see why this thing is winning awards. It has this gravitas to it, a lá anything from Apple, that was hard to look away from. And the lights are bright. It’s hard to really conceptualize 500+ lumens until they’re shining in your face.
I scanned the QR code on the tag to download the accompanying app, which can track battery levels and allows you to manually tweak things like light color, intensity, and animations. It looks just as good as the helmet itself. Finally, I set up the Turn Signals and Brake Lights via a Navigation Remote that clipped right onto my bike’s handlebars. All in all, the setup was super easy and more than a little fun.
Testing FARO Out Where It Counts: The Terrifying Streets of New York City
Essentially nothing impresses New Yorkers, because we’ve seen it all. That’s why I was shocked when people literally stopped me on the street to compliment my FARO helmet and ask where I got it. It was like I caught somebody’s attention every time I used a turn signal.
The helmet is super comfortable and comes with a click-wheel fitting system that had it sitting just right on my head. There’s also a magnetic buckle that works smoothly with one hand, never comes undone, and feels pretty badass, too. The helmet fit snug and firm, but wasn’t too hot thanks to a cleverly concealed ventilation system.
There’s something about knowing that drivers can see you that just gives you peace of mind on the road. I had 360° of light surrounding me like a protective halo, preventing crashes before they could even happen. (It’s hard to tell who is happier about it, me or my wife.)
FARO Is Changing the Game with a Three-Pronged Safety Approach
I’m a firm believer in judging a book by its cover. And as far as I’m concerned, FARO’s cover belongs in a museum. But UNIT 1 really took this helmet to the next level by thinking of everything they could to make it the pinnacle of safety.
First, it prevents accidents from happening in the first place with lights and traffic signals. Then, it uses the highest standards in the industry to protect your head in the event of a crash. Finally, it detects when something goes wrong and takes the initiative to act if you’re unresponsive. It’s like the three-headed hydra of road safety.
Judging by the website, it seems like UNIT 1 is planning to release a whole ecosystem of light-integrated safety accessories for riders, and believe me, I’ve got my eye on all of that. (Honey, if you’re reading this… the Torch Backpack would make a perfect gift.) I couldn’t have been more impressed with FARO and I’m excited to see what UNIT 1 cooks up next.
I Was All In Once I Saw I Could Have Style AND Safety.
I’ve seen enough people behind the wheel staring at their phones and not the road to know that, as cyclists, we have to do everything we can to get their attention. FARO is the ultimate answer to that dilemma.
If you’re on the fence, UNIT 1 offers a free 30-day return period, so there’s no risk in trying it out for yourself. But if your experience is anything like mine was, that helmet’s never going back in the box.
The FARO Smart Helmet
A regular helmet can save your life. FARO can keep you from testing it.