New products : SHOEI and CARDO Announce a High-end Communication System for SHOEI Customers

TOKYO and PITTSBURGH - November 1, 2013 – SHOEI Co. Ltd., the Japanese manufacturer and global market leader of motorcycle helmets, and Cardo Systems Inc., the Pittsburgh-based market leader in Bluetooth^© communication systems for motorcycle helmets (scala rider), announced today that they have signed an agreement under which Cardo will design, develop and market a unique and high-end communication system to specifically fit SHOEI’s NEOTEC, MULTITEC, XR-1100, J-Cruise, QWEST, RJ-Platinum and HORNET-DS models.

The new product, Cardo SHO-1, will incorporate Cardo’s latest technology and feature a novel and patent-protected bifurcated design that includes, among others, a replaceable battery pack. Product launch is scheduled for the fourth quarter, 2013. Besides all state-of-the-art features such as bike-to-bike intercom between up to 9 riders, connectivity modes with mobile phones, and wireless receipt of high-fidelity stereo music from smartphones and compatible MP3 players, the Cardo SHO-1 will consist of two complementing and low-profile units that attach seamlessly and without any mechanical clamps to SHOEI’s helmets. While the Cardo SHO-1 will be sold through Cardo’s distribution channels, SHOEI recommends using it with SHOEI helmets.

Executives of both companies characterized the Cardo SHO-1 not only technologically as “cutting edge”, but also as a remarkably unobtrusive and streamlined product. Thanks to its custom design for SHOEI helmets, the unit can also be installed within minutes by any end-user. SHOEI will present the system at the upcoming EICMA motorcycle trade show in Milan, Italy.

Shintaro Ohno, Director and Senior General Manager of Product Planning Division of SHOEI Co., Ltd., remarked: “Reliability, comfort and innovation are what our customers expect from us and these were the main criteria that led us to select Cardo to develop and design a custom made system for SHOEI enthusiasts.“

Albert Ashkenazy, VP Sales & Marketing and Deputy CEO of Cardo Systems, Inc., added: “SHOEI is a highly innovative and dominant player among motorcycle helmet manufacturers, serving a customer base that is used to top-of-the-line products and accessories. With the new Cardo SHO-1,  SHOEI’s customers will get an extraordinary product, custom fitted for their favorite helmet.”

About SHOEI

The name SHOEI has long been synonymous with “premium” in the motorcycle helmet market – a credential that hundreds of loyal men and women in our Japan factories wear with great pride. The evolution and production of our world-class helmet line is a meticulous process that combines the very latest in technology with consumer feedback, modern testing practices, advanced materials, and over 50 years of helmet building experience. Just like the very first SHOEI helmet built by our founder back in 1959, every SHOEI today is still handmade in Japan utilizing a sophisticated process that involves over 50 people for each and every helmet.

About Cardo

Cardo Systems, Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, has specialized in the design, development, manufacturing and sale of state-of-the-art communication and entertainment systems for motorcycle helmets since 2004. Cardo has pioneered the vast majority of innovations for Bluetooth motorcycle and snowmobile headsets. The company’s scala rider® line of headsets, now available in over 70 countries, is the world’s bestselling Bluetooth system for the motorcycle industry.

By press release