The Specialized ANGi Phones Home When You Can't
- 5 years ago
Specialized has refreshed their helmet line with the aim of offering a higher level of safety. But you might not know it by looking at the helmets. That's because the new safety features are hard to see without a close inspection.
The company is launching a tiny new electronic sensor called ANGi that can direct your phone to send out a call for help in the event of a crash. Additionally, the company has incorporated the MIPS impact-force mitigation system into its entire helmet line.
ANGi stands for Angular and G-Force Indicator. It's a 10 gram, 25 x 40 x 8mm, sensor that packs gyroscope and an accelerometer. ANGi sits on Specialized’s helmets and links to the company's Ride app via Bluetooth.
When the sensor detects a large-enough linear or rotational force, it starts a chain of events. First the phone sounds an alarm and displays an on-screen notification. If the notification isn't cleared in time, a message—with the rider’s GPS coordinates—is automatically sent to a list of contacts designated by the rider.
ANGi is powered by a 2032 coin cell battery (same as most heart rate straps), which should last about six months before it needs to be replaced.
ANGi will be be stock on Specialized’s Prevail II, Evade II, and Propero road helmets; the Ambush, Ambush Comp, Ambush e-Bike, and Dissident mountain helmets; and the Shuffle Youth LED kid’s helmet. ANGi-equipped helmets are available at Specialized dealers starting today.
ANGi is just a sensor. Live tracking of your ride and the heavy lifting of ANGi’s potential safety benefits is provided by your smartphone and the Specialized Ride app.
Specialized currently has numerous apps for its various technologies. One for its power meter cranks, another for its e-bikes, etc. Ride will eventually be the all-in-one app for all Specialized products and services. But at present Ride consists of ANGi's tools, and features that let riders find and organize group rides.
ANGi isn't the only safety-related news from Specialized. The company is also going all in on the MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) system. It will be offered in every Specialized model, though some models will also be offered in a without MIPS for a lower price.
At the high end, Specialized is using a new version of the system called MIPS SL. This version of MIPS will only be available in Specialized helmets for now, though the system will be available to other helmet brands in the future.
Like the MIPS Spherical system found in the Giro Aether, MIPS SL eliminates the plastic liner used in the first-generation MIPS system. Instead it floats the interior pads on small elastic straps which provide most of the functionality of the traditional MIPS liner. MIPS SL is nearly weightless, and, because the liner is eliminated, it doesn't have the fit, ventilation and comfort drawbacks associated with the liner.
The company is launching a tiny new electronic sensor called ANGi that can direct your phone to send out a call for help in the event of a crash. Additionally, the company has incorporated the MIPS impact-force mitigation system into its entire helmet line.
ANGi stands for Angular and G-Force Indicator. It's a 10 gram, 25 x 40 x 8mm, sensor that packs gyroscope and an accelerometer. ANGi sits on Specialized’s helmets and links to the company's Ride app via Bluetooth.
When the sensor detects a large-enough linear or rotational force, it starts a chain of events. First the phone sounds an alarm and displays an on-screen notification. If the notification isn't cleared in time, a message—with the rider’s GPS coordinates—is automatically sent to a list of contacts designated by the rider.
ANGi is powered by a 2032 coin cell battery (same as most heart rate straps), which should last about six months before it needs to be replaced.
ANGi will be be stock on Specialized’s Prevail II, Evade II, and Propero road helmets; the Ambush, Ambush Comp, Ambush e-Bike, and Dissident mountain helmets; and the Shuffle Youth LED kid’s helmet. ANGi-equipped helmets are available at Specialized dealers starting today.
ANGi is just a sensor. Live tracking of your ride and the heavy lifting of ANGi’s potential safety benefits is provided by your smartphone and the Specialized Ride app.
Specialized currently has numerous apps for its various technologies. One for its power meter cranks, another for its e-bikes, etc. Ride will eventually be the all-in-one app for all Specialized products and services. But at present Ride consists of ANGi's tools, and features that let riders find and organize group rides.
ANGi isn't the only safety-related news from Specialized. The company is also going all in on the MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) system. It will be offered in every Specialized model, though some models will also be offered in a without MIPS for a lower price.
At the high end, Specialized is using a new version of the system called MIPS SL. This version of MIPS will only be available in Specialized helmets for now, though the system will be available to other helmet brands in the future.
Like the MIPS Spherical system found in the Giro Aether, MIPS SL eliminates the plastic liner used in the first-generation MIPS system. Instead it floats the interior pads on small elastic straps which provide most of the functionality of the traditional MIPS liner. MIPS SL is nearly weightless, and, because the liner is eliminated, it doesn't have the fit, ventilation and comfort drawbacks associated with the liner.