Photo: Cardo
There’s really not much improvement one can bring to the world of Bluetooth devices used by motorcycle riders, but somehow Cardo Systems, one of the major players in this somewhat limited industry, managed to set the bar a bit higher during this week’s EICMA show in Milan.
The American company used the event in Italy to introduce the Freecom 4+, an evolution of the already high tech Freecom Bluetooth solution that offers four-way rider-to-rider, rider-to-passenger, and single-rider intercom communication.
The device has a range of 1.2 km (0.8miles) bike-to-bike, about twice as much as the next best Bluetooth of this type on the market. Being attachable to the outside of the helmet, it has to be protected against aggression too, and Cardo says the tech is IP67 compliant.
This always-on device can be controlled by using voice commands, and no pressing of buttons or turning dials is needed. The Freecom reacts when it hears the Hey Cardo command, but because it can be connected to both smartphones and GPS, it can also react when hearing the activation commands for Apple’s Siri or Google’s assistant.
Freecom allows the riders to merge any incoming phone call into the intercom conversation, it automatically adjusts sound volume based on the outside noise, and most importantly it charges on the go, as it can be plugged into a 12V charger.
A fun feature is the one that allows both rider and passenger to listen to the same music, just as in a car, thanks to the audio sharing option. Both need to have their own Freecom for this to be possible, though.
“With its best-in-class sound, truly natural voice operation and the innovative razor-thin wheel, FREECOM 4+ underscores again our ongoing and firm commitment to developing the industry’s best solutions and providing consumers with communication systems that perform extremely well for virtually any riding style,” said at the launch of the technology Abraham Glezerman, Cardo CEO.
The price for the gadget is set at $249.
The device has a range of 1.2 km (0.8miles) bike-to-bike, about twice as much as the next best Bluetooth of this type on the market. Being attachable to the outside of the helmet, it has to be protected against aggression too, and Cardo says the tech is IP67 compliant.
This always-on device can be controlled by using voice commands, and no pressing of buttons or turning dials is needed. The Freecom reacts when it hears the Hey Cardo command, but because it can be connected to both smartphones and GPS, it can also react when hearing the activation commands for Apple’s Siri or Google’s assistant.
Freecom allows the riders to merge any incoming phone call into the intercom conversation, it automatically adjusts sound volume based on the outside noise, and most importantly it charges on the go, as it can be plugged into a 12V charger.
A fun feature is the one that allows both rider and passenger to listen to the same music, just as in a car, thanks to the audio sharing option. Both need to have their own Freecom for this to be possible, though.
“With its best-in-class sound, truly natural voice operation and the innovative razor-thin wheel, FREECOM 4+ underscores again our ongoing and firm commitment to developing the industry’s best solutions and providing consumers with communication systems that perform extremely well for virtually any riding style,” said at the launch of the technology Abraham Glezerman, Cardo CEO.
The price for the gadget is set at $249.
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