The Unit1 Aura helmet is the mother of all smart helmets. For one, it isn’t full-face, so you can carry it around with no problems- and the best part? It seamlessly integrates all of its incredibly cool gadgetry into the helmet. All you have to do is charge it every so often, and you’re good to keep riding, no worries.
To start, it meets the rigorous NTA 8776 standard, which is required for s-pedelecs and other LEVs certified for speeds up to 28 mph. It also features a low-friction internal MIPS liner that rotates in a crash to soften the impact. This has earned it the prestigious 5-star rating from Virginia Tech.
Despite its heavy-duty durability, which has earned it high marks all around, it avoids the bulky “bowling ball” aesthetic common in such helmets. It weighs a mere 440 grams. That said, the Aura doesn't leave you unprotected. Unlike other helmets, this one doesn’t leave the back of your head fully unprotected; it is one of the thickest parts of the build, designed to absorb disastrous impacts in that region.
Beyond passive impact protection, the Aura offers a full-fledged visibility ecosystem. It features near-360-degree LED lighting. It pushes up to 350 lumens from the yellow/white front light and the red rear light, projecting light to all surrounding road users to keep you visible at night. Paired with the wireless handlebar remote, the system also functions as a turn signal system, indicating your intentions to drivers and riders behind you.
The companion UNIT 1 app unlocks even more functionality. It lets riders customize light flash profiles and enable crash detection that pings emergency contacts with location data if it detects an impact.
On the road, the Aura proves its worth across all weather and in every commute. The on-board electronics are IPX5 water-resistant, and so is its battery. The battery lasts between 3 and 30 hours on a full charge, depending on the lighting mode you choose. If you buy it, you can swap the helmet’s magnetic visor for a photosensitive visor that changes color in sunlight.
All that said, for e-bikers looking for an all-in-one headwear solution that seamlessly marries speed-rated crash protection with sleek turn-signal technology, the Unit 1 Aura MIPS sets a benchmark for modern commuter safety.
