Former NFL Player's Horizon Hover Partners with University of Alberta to Develop Smart Helmet

HOUSTON - Oct. 27, 2025 - PRLog -- Horizon Hover, founded by former NFL player and entrepreneur TJ Wright, today announced a partnership with the University of Alberta to develop a Smart Helmet, an integrated safety and navigation system for its upcoming Horizon Hover System of personal hover vehicles.

This collaboration connects Horizon Hover with a team of engineering students and faculty from the University of Alberta, advised by Kevin Hodder. The project aims to build a functional helmet prototype featuring augmented reality (AR) navigation, in-helmet communication, and immersive audio. This integrated system is designed to provide riders with critical real-time data and situational awareness, enabling hands-free operation.

"Traditional helmets already do an excellent job protecting riders from injury, but they weren't built for the era of intelligent vehicles," said TJ Wright, Founder of Horizon Hover. "We're developing a Smart Helmet that closes that gap — combining AR navigation, communication, and immersive sound to help riders stay aware, focused, and fully engaged with the ride."

The Smart Helmet is the first visible component of the Horizon Hover ecosystem. It will serve as an early platform for users to experience the company's approach to safety, aerodynamics, and augmented reality before the hover bikes themselves are available for pre-order.

"This partnership gives our students a rare opportunity to design for the future of transportation," said Kevin Hodder, project advisor at the University of Alberta. "They are applying advanced materials engineering and AR technology to solve real-world challenges in user safety and functionality."

The prototype development will focus on material performance, aerodynamic shaping, and structural testing using 3D-printing, with a parallel focus on creating scalable production methods for Horizon Hover's future vehicle line.

About Horizon Hover
Founded by former NFL player TJ Wright, Horizon Hover is a Los Angeles-based mobility innovation company developing the next generation of personal aerial vehicles, including hover bikes and hover cars. The company's mission is to merge aerospace-level engineering with urban design to redefine human mobility.

About the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of Canada's top-ranked research universities, renowned for excellence in engineering, materials science, and technological innovation. It is known for its industry collaborations that bring cutting-edge technology to the global market.