Daily Oklahoman 2008-10-05 -- Blutek founders were recently interviewed and published in the Daily Oklahoman-
Helmet phone device aims for safety on open road
Built-in Bluetooth lets bikers focus on their driving
Ever seen a motorcyclist riding with a cell phone jammed underneath his helmet?
What about a rider with white headphone wires snaking out from under his helmet, a sure sign his iPod is blaring in his ears?
Reza Koranki has. The 24-year-old and two of his siblings, Natasha, 23, and Michael, 21, formed Oklahoma City-based Blutek to sell stylish motorcycle helmets with integrated Bluetooth technology.
Their product allows the wearer to talk on a cell phone virtually hands-free through a speaker and microphone built into the bluetooth helmet.
Though safety experts advise against any distraction while driving — especially a motorcycle — the Korankis say their bluetooth helmet product adds a measure of safety to a prevalent practice.
"People are going to do it anyway,” Natasha Koranki said. "We've done everything we can to keep your hands on the bike.”
How it works
Bluteks bluetooth helmets synch to a cell phone, allowing the wearer to control many of the phone��™s functions through a knob on the side of the helmet, or through voice-activation, depending on the phone.
Inside the helmet, a speaker is embedded within the left chin strap, and a noise-cancelling microphone is built into the cheek padding. The sound quality is so good, Natasha Koranki said, when she calls her brother she can��™t tell if he��™s on the bike.
The bluetooth helmets are currently available in six styles, with names like Grey Ghost and Damien, and range in price from $299 to $329. Outsourcing production to China allowed Blutek to keep prices low, Reza Koranki said.
Blutek has entered a practically untouched market. An Italian company, Dainese, makes a similar helmet, but it costs twice as much as those sold by Blutek. After-market Bluetooth kits are available for regular helmets, but riders say they are cumbersome and can compromise the safety of the helmet if the shell is tapped.
Young company, new product
Reza Koranki says Blutek is "already bigger than we thought it would be.” They have sold several hundred helmets since they began in August, with a goal of 1,000 by the end of the year.
Blutek has sales representatives in three other states, and some of the Korankis��™ cousins run an office in France. They��™re sponsoring a stunt rider, and both BMW USA and the Columbian Police Department say they are interested in purchasing their product, Reza Koranki said.
Being young helps, Reza Koranki said, because when they go into a bike shop dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, they look like the clientele. And both Reza and Michael Koranki ride motorcycles, and Natasha is taking lessons.
"We are our target demographic,” Natasha Koranki said.
Keeping safety first
One aspect of the Blutek helmet is the single speaker, allowing the rider to still hear traffic and emergency sirens.
"People ask if we can add a second speaker,” Reza Koranki said. "Yes, we can. But we won't.”
He said the device is not recommended for long conversations or conducting business. It��™s for quick calls and emergencies.
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