Aleck Punks & Tocsen Crash Sensor Make Every Helmet Safer, Coming Soon to Smith
The Aleck Tocsen crash sensor is a little rechargeable stick-on gadget that will call for help if you are in a serious accident and can’t communicate, literally making any helmet safer if you often ride alone. And soon, you’ll be able to get the same Tocsen tech integrated directly into your Smith helmets. Plus, Aleck also has new Punks that strap onto any helmet, a near-ear wireless audio and communication solution that lets you listen to music and/or talk to other connected riders without losing the ability to hear what’s going on around you…
Aleck Punks near-ear wireless audio and communication
The newest bit of tech from Aleck that we uncovered at Eurobike over the weekend are actually not the crash sensors, but these all-new Punks near-ear communicators. Essentially a set of wireless headphones that you attach to your helmet straps, the Punks let you listen to music while riding without blocking out the sounds of the environment around you.
Or you can use them as rider-to-rider communicators with other cyclists with a set of Punks, thanks to push-to-talk functionality over unlimited distance (they use your paired phone and data network for rider-to-rider communication via the Aleck app).
Aleck describes the Punks as the “first near-ear wireless audio and communication system dedicated to cyclists”. They promise “crystal-clear sound” in any outdoor conditions, thanks to “expertly tuned, near-ear drivers and dual wind-blocking mics”.
The Punks are available for pre-order now for $150 / 150€ for a single pair (left & right) or $280 / 280€ for two sets – left & right pairs for you and your favorite riding buddy to keep in touch. Global shipping is free, and delivery for pre-orders is slated from early August. A pair of USB-C rechargeable Punks is said to have a 19-hour runtime, with each side weighing just 16g in the 5.7×2.7x1cm box attached to the strap of any open-face helmet.
Aleck Tocsen stick-on crash sensor
The stick-on $60 / 60€ Tocsen helmet crash sensor isn’t the first gadget of this type – we covered a similar tiny low-cost solution from Cratoni a couple of years back, not to mention the original but more expensive IceDot or Specialized helmets with integrated ANGi crash sensors. Even this Tocsen sensor has actually been around on the German market since around 2019, having been bought by US-based outdoor gadgets company Aleck earlier this year.
If you crash, it first gives you a chance to verify that you are OK, before using your phone to send out your location to preset emergency contacts via SMS/TXT. It also pairs with Aleck/Tocsen’s own Heroes Nearby network, to alert any other user of their free mobile safety app within a 3km/1.8mi radius of the accident. So even if you aren’t riding with someone, if there’s another Tocsen user nearby, they could be your best & fastest first responder.
It doesn’t require a subscription to work, and can stick-onto virtually any cycling or snowsports helmet. The tiny Aleck Tocsen crash sensor is also USB-micro rechargeable with 40hr battery life/1.5 month standby, and weighs just 10g.
Aleck + Smith development collaboration
The newest Aleck Tocsen crash sensor new officially debuted now that Eurobike is behind us, as Smith has announced a strategic development partnership that will see crash sensors integrated into four of their cycling helmets next spring. They’ll be the first helmet brand in North America to include the Tocsen crash sensor tech in 2024. No word yet which helmets will get the new crash sensors, other than a reference to premium Smith helmets, suggesting it could likely include the Mainline full-face & Forefront 2 half-shell mountain bike helmets, plus the all-rounder Trace & aero Ignite aero road helmets?
Aleck Tocsen crash sensors are already available in Europe on select Alpina, Ekoi & Uvex helmets.
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