Don't expect a refund from Skully itself. The company is filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, and that doesn't require a plan for repayment (which would be Chapter 11). If you're out the $1,499 it cost to get a Skully, your best shot right now is to buy communication gear from Fusar, which is offering equivalent credit for its own smart helmet tech.

The shutdown is a not-so-subtle reminder of the inherent risks of crowdfunding. Despite what some creators say in their crowdfunding pitches, you're not pre-ordering a product when you make a pledge -- you're providing financial support in the hopes of maybe, possibly getting something down the line. And producing an advanced, expensive niche product like an AR motorbike helmet only increases the challenge, since it involves both additional work and the support of a smaller customer base. Crowdfunding companies can offer production help or even insurance, but they can't guarantee that you'll get exactly what you paid for.