Every parent knows the drill: cereal spilled, backpack half-zipped, helmet nowhere to be found. The morning ride turns into a morning meltdown.
SPARKY, the new kid's smart helmet from UNIT 1, aims to turn that chaos into a ritual. Designed to make safety fun, SPARKY doesn’t just check the protection box — it’s built to get kids out the door smiling.
“If gearing up is a fight every morning, families default to the car,” says UNIT 1 co-founder Francisco Abelleira. “We wanted a helmet that kids beg to wear.”
Not Just Cute, Certified Safe
Behind the colorful animations and tap-controlled lights, SPARKY is serious tech. It meets CPSC 1203 and EN-1078 standards in the U.S. and Europe. Its rear RGB light lasts up to 30 hours and is controlled via simple tap gestures, no phone or app needed. Kids love choosing the color of the day. Parents get peace of mind that their child is visible in traffic.
SPARKY also integrates a Safety ID via QR code, storing emergency contacts and medical info. “It’s one of those features you hope you never need,” says Abelleira, “but it’s the first thing you’ll want in a real-world moment.”
The Helmet Habit That Builds Biking Habits
Only 13% of American kids bike or walk to school today, down from nearly 50% in 1969. That’s a public health issue. Kids who actively commute rack up more daily physical activity, show improved independence, and even sleep better.
But first? They need to wear the helmet. SPARKY reframes safety as play—making that “no helmet, no ride” moment feel less like a rule and more like a ritual.
Designed to Be Worn — Not Argued About
|
Feature |
What Kids See |
What Parents Get |
|
RGB rear light |
Tap to change colors and effects |
360° visibility, no phone needed |
|
Swappable silicone inserts |
Feels like a new helmet every week |
One shell fits growth spurts (49–53 cm) |
|
Magnetic buckle + soft straps |
No pinches, ever |
A smoother school departure |
It weighs just 320 g, is water-resistant, and includes a USB-C charging cable. Four colors launch in July: Slate Gray, Mint Green, Powder Blue, and Corn Yellow.
Leading by Example
Every parent learns this: kids rarely do what you say. But they’ll almost always do what you do. That’s why SPARKY isn’t just about gearing up children, it’s about modeling the habit ourselves.
“My daughter says hi when she walks into a room, not because I told her to, but because she sees me do it,” says Abelleira. “That’s how behavior gets built. Not with rules. With example.”
Whether it’s clipping on your own helmet, hopping on a bike, or making safety look cool, parents lead the culture. SPARKY helps make that culture stick.
Beyond the Product
SPARKY is step zero in UNIT 1’s broader mission: human-powered mobility that feels joyful and safe. It’s tech-forward without being tech-dependent. Protective without being boring. And designed not just for heads, but for habits.
Because the best helmet is the one they want to wear.
