Walking around the vast halls at EICMA it quickly became apparent that the age of the Smart Helmet is upon us. Numerous manufacturers had displays showcasing new helmet technology, including heads-up displays, Advanced Noise Cancellation, cameras, emergency assist, and brake lights.
Here’s a quick roundup of what to expect.
If you’re heading to Motorcycle Live next week, be sure to check them out.
Sena
We’ve been using Sena intercoms and helmet cams since we started ScooterLab in 2016 (all the riding audio in our videos is done using Sena). We’ve watched their tech improving year by year. For 2026, along with a whole host of new (15 new products) and updated intercoms, they’ve added to their range of Smart Helmets.
Sena Cam with integrated camera on the chin bar and intercom on the side
Phantom Family
Phantom ANC/Cam and Extreme Bass use a composite fibreglass shell and have rear posiiton and brake light, ECE 22.06 certification, MESH 3.0 intercom, Bluetooth 5.3, Harmon Kardon speakers, AINR (AI-based) noise reduction on the mic and up to 35 hours battery life.
- Phantom ANC: €619 – 20 dB less noise/75% reduction on traffic noise, Mesh intercom 3.0, WAVE intercom, Active Noise Control, distance 2,000m, front flashlight & Smart brake light, over-the-air updates
- Phantom Cam: €TBD – Mesh intercom 3.0, WAVE intercom, 2nd generation Harman Kardon sound, 4k camera with EIS, distance 2,000m, Front flashlight & Smart brake light, over-the-air updates
- Phantom Extreme Bass: €549 – intercom 3.0, WAVE intercom, 2nd generation Harman Kardon sound, immersive audio, distance 2,000m, over-the-air updates
- Phantom KV: €TBA – A lighter version featuring a Kevlar® fibre shell – reducing weight by around 80g
- Phantom Unplugged: €329 – This uses the same premium shell but comes without built-in electronics, dedicated slot for additional intercom
Rear position and brake lights are a great safety feature…
Full range
The Sena helmet range also includes Specter Modular Helmets, Outlander Full Face Dual Sport, Outrush 2 Modular Smart Helmet and Outstar 2 open face Smart Helmet. The big news, though, is Active Noise Cancellation, which filters out the noise you don’t need to hear while leaving the sound of your scooter and surrounding traffic.
Schuberth C5 ANC
Talking of noise cancellation, this brand has always been known for making quiet helmets. Schuberth are used for motorsports (including F1), the police, fire and military, as well as in various industrial safety applications.
However, they’ve teamed up with communications experts, Cardo, to bring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to the open road. ANC reduces the outside noises that cause fatigue and damage your hearing whilst retaining the sounds that matter.
The built-in Cardo C5 Edge intercom features 53mm ANC speakers to filter out unwanted noise whilst leaving crystal clear sound for communication and music.
Features
- Active Noise Cancellation – up to 10db noise reduction at 100 km/h on a naked bike
- ANC tuning specific to motorcycle usage
- HD speakers for unparalleled audio experience – the biggest and most advanced speakers currently on the market
- 2nd generation DMC intercom featuring MESH boost
- Range up to 1.6km
- Bluetooth 5.2
- FM radio
- TFT connectivity
- Natural voice control
- Auto volume adjustment
Demonstration
Schuberth had a wind tunnel set up with a bike to sit on and a simulation ride on the screen. We had a go and I must say, this helmet is very impressive. The sound quality on audio tracks is outstanding and I’m sure the voice clarity over the intercom would also be very good on the road. The Active Noise Cancellation can be turned on or off and the difference is amazing with it turned on.
ANC is said to decrease harmful sounds by 10 dB, and just four minutes with a sound of 101 dB can damage your hearing. I think noise cancellation in helmets will be the next big thing.
The Scuberth C5 ANC is a modular helmet featuring an internal sunvisor and is expected to retail at €799 (£703) upon its arrival in March 2026. Check out Schuberth for more information.
Nolan X-904 UC with Quin Technology
Italian brand Nolan has collaborated with Quin (a leader in intelligent safety technology) to develop a helmet with a couple of valuable features.
Features
- Event Detection & Emergency Response — The Quin Pod is designed to detect critical events such as crashes, collisions, and severe impacts. When detected, Quin automatically triggers alerts to the rider’s emergency contacts and, through the Quin Response System (QRS), can directly notify professional emergency services across 32 countries — helping to dramatically reduce response times when every second counts.
- Performance Analytics & Ride Insights — Beyond protection, the X-904 UC offers riders valuable data about their rides and helmet activity. From impact detection metrics to riding patterns such as speed, acceleration, and braking, the intelligent X-904 with Quin technology provides insights that help riders better understand their performance and prepare more effectively for each journey.
Shoei EyeLights with Heads Up Display
Although standalone Heads Up Displays have been available for a while, Shoei are the first to launch a helmet with it integrated. The Shoei GT Air-3 Smart features the usual Shoei specs and quality but also comes with a Heads Up Display by French company, EyeLights.
HUD technology was developed for fighter jet pilots but has filtered down to road users. It provides an augmented riding experience with all the info you need projected onto the internal sun visor. The ultra-bright OLED projector offers flawless full HD readability, even in direct sunlight.
HUD gives GPS route info, speed camera warnings and other useful info. The projection shows 3 metres ahead of you, directly in your line of sight.
Limitless Intercom
The Shoei GT-3 Air SMART also features an intercom by EyeLights, claiming to have unlimited range, unlimited connected riders, an active noise-cancelling microphone, as well as integrated Siri and Google voice assistants.
The heads-up display and intercom will add around £600 to the cost of your new Shoei.
You can find out more about HUD at EyeLights.
Cardo Beyond
Wireless communication experts Cardo have introduced the high-tech Cardo Beyond helmets.
At the top of the two-helmet range is the Beyond GTS, featuring a carbon fibre shell and a multi-density EPS liner, making it a lightweight and comfortable helmet. Developed in the wind tunnel, riders should notice a big difference in airflow and turbulence whilst riding. Inside, the precision ventilation system and Pinlock® 200 anti-fog lens should reduce fogging. There’s also an internal sun visor.
That’s enough of the boring stuff, though. What about the tech?
Can you spot the chin bar-mounted intercom?
What’s so smart?
Cardo has been at the forefront of intercom systems for two decades, so of course, the Beyond gets a neatly integrated Cardo Dynamic Mesh Communication intercom. It has a 2km range, Bluetooth integration, and hands-free voice control. An auto on/off feature helps conserve battery life, and the battery can be removed for wireless charging or to swap it out if you’re on a long ride. There’s also a removable tech pack that can be swapped out in the future to allow it to evolve with future innovations.
Active Noise Cancellation
The Beyond also features 53mm speakers, a first for Cardo. Not only have Cardo Sound Labs fine-tuned them, but they also include Active Noise Cancellation. It’s a system purpose-built for motorcyclists to combat fatigue and hearing loss.
Helmet health indicator
This is a first as far as I’m concerned; this built-in tool continuously monitors your helmet to give a real-time insight into the condition of your crash helmet.
Integrated crash detection
This system alerts your loved ones if you have an accident.
Rear brake light
There’s also a rear brake light for added visibility (Beyond GT gets a rear reflector instead).
Prices and availability
The helmets will be available next summer, the Beyond GTS will retail at £1062.
The Beyond GT has a fibreglass shell, rather than carbon, and a slightly slimmed-down spec. That one will retail at £840. You can find out more at Cardo Beyond.
VIDEO: See the Djagger in action
Roof Djagger
If you like something a little bit different, then the Roof Djagger might make you sit up and take notice. This concept doesn’t fit like a ‘normal’ helmet and doesn’t have a chin strap. Instead, it hinges open from the rear, you put your face into it and it clamps over your head.
At EICMA, it was demonstrated with the aid of robotics. It’s more likely, though, that this helmet will need human interaction to close it, if and when it comes to market. It’s not even mentioned on the Roof website yet but take a look at the video and see it in action (warning, video contains flashing lights).
