2018 Update: The Skully smart helmet has returned as the Skully Fenix AR. GasGas, boutique motorcycle brand, has acquired the rights to restart the helmet project under a new venture called Skully Technologies. It is selling the helmet in various sizes from US$1,899 (RM7,934).
SAN FRANCISCO: The Skully AR Motorcycle helmet that won tech awards, wowed the crowds at a host of motorcycle shows, and attracted millions of dollars in orders via a record-breaking Indiegogo campaign, is officially dead.
The company, founded by brothers Marcus and Mitch Weller with the goal of creating a crash helmet with an integrated rear-view camera and a head-up display for navigation and smartphone alerts was inspired by a motorcycle accident in 2011. Marcus Weller was on his bike when he looked up to double-check a road sign, and in doing so failed to see that car in front had come to a complete halt.
However, five years on, despite huge fanfare from the tech press and several demos at a host of high-profile motorcycle shows around the world, not to mention a record-breaking Indiegogo campaign that saw the company secure US$2.4mil (RM9.7mil) in advance orders — Skully officially filed for bankruptcy before shipping a single completed US$1,400 (RM5,646) helmet to even a single customer.
In an official statement the company said that it had run out of capital despite the management team's best efforts and that because it is planning to file Chapter 7, rather than Chapter 11, bankruptcy, only secured creditors will stand a good chance of getting any money back.
"Our team is devastated and deeply saddened that our valued partners, vendors, employees and customers have been negatively affected by what has transpired. We realise there are many unanswered questions and that this is a very upsetting situation. We are truly sorry," the company said.
According to thenextweb.com, a former Skully employee has claimed in a lawsuit filed here that the Weller brothers had used the Kickstarter money to fund a lavish lifestyle that included visits to strip clubs. The suit by Isabelle Faithhauer also said the brothers had used the money to buy properties, sports cars and motorcycles.
In a related development. Fusar, a company that makes Bluetooth headsets and camera systems that bikers can fit to their existing crash helmets, is offering anyone who gave Skully money for a helmet the same dollar amount of Fusar store credit.
"Where I come from, you stop to help when you see another rider go down," said Fusar CEO Ryan Shearman in an open letter to all Skully customers. "You understood the value of what they set out to build and your faith in the technology has helped change the course of the industry forever. Being a first-mover always has its costs and risks, but I hate to see that burden fall on the shoulders of customers."
The only catch is that anyone who takes Shearman up on his offer won't be able to recoup the entire US$1,400 in a single shopping spree.
