Helmet camera

A helmet camera, otherwise known as micro video camera, bullet camera, or lipstick camera, is a camera attached to one's helmet to allow one to make a visual record from one's point of view without requiring the use of one's hands. They have been used in the skydiving industry for some time as full-size cameras bolted onto the helmet of an individual, but recent advances in electronics have allowed the size of cameras to shrink to the size of a pen.

In the 1990s, helmet cameras were briefly used to provide live player's-eye-view footage in professional American football. However, their use was discontinued after players complained of the extra weight, and TV networks became concerned about the aggressive behavior the cameras captured.

There are currently a large number of global vendors selling helmet cameras. The majority of these are small lipstick-shaped security cameras. They were designed for low-light security situations, not video fidelity. These lipstick cameras are connected to a video recording device with video input capability, such as a handheld camcorder. Most of the cameras require their own power sources as well.

Many sports enthusiasts now use helmet cameras to capture the essence of the sports they love. For example, many paraglider pilots like to carry a bullet camera to record their flights. This can be mounted on the helmet, foot or elsewhere to capture unique camera angles. There are many samples of helmet camera videos available on the net.

Wearing helmet cameras is also proving popular with cyclists as a safety aid as it allows cyclists to record their journeys and to record any incidents from their point of view. This evidence can be used in a court as evidence. Recently, a cyclist was convicted of abusing traffic wardens, using evidence from a helmet camera.