Mangaluru : Wearing this helmet, you can enjoy wireless music at a safe volume that will help you keep focus on the road. It also enables the rider to answer calls on his mobile phone only if he or she brings the vehicle to a halt. Those going on a long ride can make use of voice navigation on an unknown terrain.

These are among the features seen in the ‘smart helmet’ designed by Navjith P. Karkera and Jagath Biddappa, third year engineering students from Sahyadri College of Engineering and Management. The two have bagged the ‘Best Young Innovators Award’ at the Innovation Initiative -2015 competition organised at the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi, on December 7.

The smart helmet were among the 2,700 entries submitted from all over the country. After screening, 76 were showcased in the competition. Among them, top nine were selected based on technical feasibility, market potential and the impact on the industry, society and environment.

Mr. Karkera and Mr. Biddappa, who are fifth semester students of mechanical engineering, and electronics and communication courses, respectively, have developed a prototype of the helmet at the Sahyadri Edu Dreamers R&D Ltd – a startup – where they have been interning.

Among the other noticeable features of this helmet include an accident location alert to health response units and also to relatives. It also has safety light to improve the visibility of the rider. The rider has to wear the helmet and strap it properly for his vehicle to start. The motorcycle will not start if the rider was found to have consumed alcohol beyond the permissible limits.

M. Shreya, the PRO of the startup firm, said the design of the smart helmet had been patented in the names of Mr. Karkera and Mr. Biddappa. It was being tested for various safety features and other regulatory norms. After finishing analysis and carrying out further changes, the firm would move towards inviting investors for production, she added.