X1 AI headset merges bone conduction audio with 4K camera for cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts

AI-spiked action headset immerses itself naturally in your world

We've already seen plenty of smart glasses that combine stylish design with music playback and hands-free video recording. For folks who appreciate having those features but don't like wearing glasses, Auriview has just launched a new product on Kickstarter. The X1 takes a similar approach but packs the technology into a different form factor - bone-conduction earphones. What sets it apart from similar products is a built-in AI assistant that allows users to interact with the device through voice commands. Let's start with the primary function - audio. Since the product is aimed at cyclists, runners, and hikers, the choice of bone-conduction technology makes perfect sense: staying aware of one's surroundings is crucial for safety. Because the X1 has a low-profile curved design, it's claimed to fit under cycling helmets and potentially even some ski helmets. The headset is pretty light at just 48 grams (1.7 oz). It measures 145 x 115 x 48 mm (5.7 x 4.5 x 1.9 in), so fitting several smart features in such a compact device definitely was a challenge. The camera is built into the right side of the headset. It features a 130° wide-angle lens capable of recording 4K video at 30 fps using H.265 compression, with a maximum bitrate of 10 Mbps. This means that the device can produce smaller video files while maintaining good image quality. That said, "good image quality" can be quite subjective, and 10 Mbps is a relatively low bitrate for 4K video. It's still pretty good for such a small camera, but you'll likely notice a difference compared with videos recorded on a GoPro or a smartphone. The camera cannot be tilted or repositioned, although the creators say that the wide field of view compensates for that factor. There is no microSD card slot, but the device comes with 30 GB of built-in storage. This should be sufficient, since the battery only allows for 50 to 60 minutes of continuous video recording anyways. The device also supports live streaming through Wi-Fi, although this will likely drain the battery even faster. If you use the headset in a standby mode, the battery can reportedly last up to 100 hours. For music playback at 80% volume, Auriview claims up to 30 hours of battery life. Charging takes about two hours. One of the more unusual features is the built-in AI assistant. It can be activated using customizable voice commands, so there is no need to press buttons or pull out your phone every time you want to ask a question or get directions. The AI enables a few features, including visual recognition. Instead of taking a photo and trying to identify the location or object later, you can simply ask the headset what you're looking at and get a response in real time. Other advertised features include translation and voice recording, which may seem less relevant for cyclists, but Auriview positions the X1 as a wearable device for everyday use and not just for outdoor activities. The headset supports real-time translation and face-to-face conversations in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Arabic. The voice recording option can be used for work meetings, interviews, or quick voice notes. We've all had moments when a great idea (or a forgotten item for the grocery list) comes to mind during a bike ride. Instead of stopping and reaching for a phone to write it down, users can simply record a voice note on the spot. The X1 requires a companion app, but the good news is that there are no subscription fees for it. Through the app, users can access recorded footage and customize device settings. The app also provides a battery indicator and a device-finding feature. The headset is rated as resistant to dust and water. While it is not designed for underwater use, it can totally handle rain and sweat. In the future, the company is considering adding automatic crash detection and incident recording, which a lot of cyclists definitely would appreciate. With the current battery life though, this can only be practical if you go on very short bike rides or just commute. Given the size of the device, improving battery performance will be a serious challenge for the company. The headset is currently available only in bright orange. Early backers on Kickstarter can get the product for a pledge of US$139, while the planned retail price is $259. Assuming the campaign is successful, shipping is expected to begin in November.

Thought smart glasses were creepy? These bone conduction headphones have a tiny 4K camera -- but luckily they're aimed at cyclists

* The W&O X1 headphones come with a camera attached * They raise new concerns over illicit recordings * There is a recording light that turns on when the camera is active The debate around smart glasses with cameras attached continues to rumble on -- and apparently Meta still has plans for glasses that are constantly recording the world around them -- and we now have a new pair of bone conduction headphones that lose the spectacles but keep the camera. They're called the W&O X1 (via New Atlas), and of course they're packed with plenty of AI. This on-board assistant can help you navigate to locations, identify landmarks, look up facts and answers online, and even translate between languages. All this happens through voice control and spoken responses. In order to provide some of that AI functionality, the W&O X1 headphones are fitted with a 4K video camera supplied by Samsung. It can take photos and videos with a tap or a voice command, which can then be saved and analyzed as needed -- and in the interests of privacy, a small recording light shows when the camera is active. The headphones can also double up as a miniature action camera, grabbing high-resolution video at 30 frames per second with a 130-degree wide angle view, with what looks like some impressive anti-shake technology built in too. Oh and did we mention they can play music and make phone calls too? "Most headsets are made for listening," explains W&O in the product listing. " X1 is built for seeing, hearing, understanding, recording, translating, navigating, and staying connected in motion. It is a wearable AI system designed for the world outside the screen." Privacy concerns The idea of wearable cameras is becoming even more popular now, with the growing capabilities of AI and the continued shrinking of the necessary components. There's something appealing about being able to capture memories instantly, without having to dig out a phone and find the camera app. At the same time, there are real concerns when it comes to privacy. The smart glasses already on the market make it a little too easy to record surreptitiously, and a tiny camera attached to a pair of headphones is even harder to see. There's even now a BanRay movement calling for smart glasses to be banned from certain spaces. To be fair to W&O, they seem to be targeting these headphones at cyclists, hikers, and other outdoor types, so it's more for solo photo and video recording. Still, together with other gadgets in the pipeline, it highlights a growing need for proper safeguards to be put around devices with tiny embedded cameras. The W&O X1 have blasted through their $3,000 funding goal on Kickstarter many times over, and if you're interested in a pair you can put in a reservation for $139 (about £105 / AU$200) -- with the usual Kickstarter caveat that crowdfunded hardware doesn't always end up reaching consumers. There are some decent specs here: IP6X dust and water protection, a lightweight 48 gram build, support for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and 30 hours of music playback between charges thanks to an integrated 800 mAh battery. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.