Potato chips, poker chips, computer chips, and now...helmet CHIPS? That’s right--Outdoor Technology has just debuted its new wireless drop-in audio system called CHIPS, which works by lining the inside of the user’s helmet to allow users to listen to music without all the hassle that’s plagued them in the past.

Helmets and headphones have never really meshed together, and that’s what spawned the idea for this product. The need was well-established and clear, and frankly the idea is a long time coming. 

“Why have annoying wires and small buttons hanging from your helmet or no audio at all when you can be totally connected yet unplugged with simple easy to use controls?” said co-founder and CEO of Outdoor Technology, Caro Krissman, in a statement.

Krissman added that CHIPS is designed for any sport where a helmet might be used, such as biking, but it will likely be most popular with the winter sports market.

“The CHIPS are a game changer,” said Krissman, “We solved a problem with a simple solution that changes the game for hundreds of millions who ski or board with helmets with no good audio system.”

The CHIPS system is the first of its kind, and while it is patent pending, it will be on the market in Chile, Australia, and New Zealand this April, and will make its debut in all other world markets, including the United States, by winter 2013.

Additionally, the system is just what it sounds like too: it’s made of chips. The way it works is the user slips tech-chips into certain slots inside the helmet liner, and with only two buttons the user can control the music they listen to, its volume, and even make calls using the technology.

The helmet never has to be taken off, and there is nothing hanging from it, so any distractions that might come from having a speaker system clamped onto your head with a helmet is actually a non-issue.

The device can be synced with a phone or mp3 player to listen to music wirelessly, and uses a built in mic to allow for phone calls if you get the urge to dial someone while cruising on your snowboard or riding up the lift, for example.

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