Ding & FrostVale
FrostVale
Hey Ding, ever thought about a ski helmet that feels like a second skin but also streams real‑time altitude, speed, and collision alerts? I think it could keep us safe while still letting us shred the slopes.
Ding
That sounds like a cool idea, but I’d need to dig into the sensors, power supply and data bandwidth first. If the helmet can’t reliably stream altitude, speed and collision data without adding bulk, it’ll defeat the “second skin” vibe. Let’s sketch out the specs and see if we can keep it lightweight and comfortable.
FrostVale
Sounds good, let’s keep it snappy. For altitude use a MEMS barometer, they’re tiny and accurate. Speed can be derived from a low‑power IMU combo with an on‑board magnetometer, that’ll double as a compass and give us yaw. Collision detection? A pressure sensor in the chin strap that triggers when the helmet hits an object, plus a quick‑response accelerometer for shock.
Powerwise, a 1.5‑cell Li‑Po will do, about 200 mAh, gives us an hour of streaming on a 1 GHz MCU. Put everything in a single polycarbonate shell that’s just a few millimeters thick, keep the weight under 400 g. Data‑bandwidth: BLE 5.0 can push 250 kbps, enough for telemetry and a tiny video stream if you’re into that. Keep the battery in the rear of the frame, so the center of mass stays low.
We’ll need to test the heat signature—no one wants a hot helmet after a run. I’ll lay out a mock‑up on the board, and we can tweak the thickness until it feels like a glove. How does that sound?
Ding
Sounds solid, but the 1.5‑cell Li‑Po might be cutting it close on power, especially if you add a video stream. Maybe consider a tiny 2‑cell pack or a low‑power MCU that’s more efficient. Also, make sure the barometer’s altitude resolution is enough for steep slopes—otherwise it’ll be noise. Let’s prototype a heat map first; I’d hate to find the helmet’s core is a sauna after a day on the hill. Overall, good roadmap—just keep an eye on the battery life and heat dissipation.