Action sports-focused startup Unit 1 is set to introduce its first offering, Soundshield, a helmet and detachable headphone pairing that the company hopes can elevate the users’ music listening experience from the slopes to the skate park.
Soundshield comes in two basic parts — the helmet and the headphones. The headphones lock in underneath the helmet utilizing the startup’s patented docking system, which helps create stability with four locking points. Then, after the user is done skiing, snowboarding, skateboarding, or enjoying an array of other action sports, the headphones can be unlocked and popped out to be used in any other situation.
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Unit 1’s founder and CEO, Juan Garcia Mansilla, teamed up in late 2015 with co-founder and CTO Javier Bertani, along with several others to design the company’s first product. The idea for the removable headphone, helmet combination was born out Mansilla’s frustration when he tried to listen to music as a skier. Mansilla found it difficult to operate his own headphones while skiing and saw the current built-in headphone, helmet models as far too one-dimensional.
“Soundshield is just that, a killer helmet with awesome headphones that work with or without each other,” Mansilla said in a promotional video. “That means you’re good for the riding part and you’re good for whatever comes after.”
The wireless, Bluetooth-enabled headphones last up to 16 hours on a single charge. Users control Soundshield from the outside of headphones, which can be more practical when wearing gloves of any kind.
Soundshield’s large external button allows the user to pair, stop, skip, go back, and answer phone calls — with its built-in microphone — with only a few taps. Users adjust the volume by rotating the dial that is also located on the outside of the water-resistant headphones. Soundshield is currently available in six different color schemes.
Unit 1 designed Soundshield to meet the official safety requirements in order to be used in both snow and action sports in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Like most helmets, Soundshield has a ventilation system to help keep users’ head cool.
Unit 1 started its Indiegogo campaign in February and the company reached its $50,000 goal in April. The manufacturing process will take place over the next several months according to Soundshield’s Indiegogo profile, with the first shipments set to start in December.
Unit 1 was among the 19 companies that were accepted into the leAD Sports Accelerator, which will begin in Berlin in the fall.