POC and Autoliv, an automotive safety company, are working on a bike helmet containing an airbag.
Helmets that meet certain safety standards are guaranteed to absorb shock from impact.
For example, Virginia Tech scores helmets for safety and MIPS is a safety technology feature to look out for on the best road bike helmets.
But POC and Autoliv, which makes car airbags, claim an airbag can enhance a helmet’s shock absorption.
This leaves room for improvement in collisions with a car at speeds over 20km/h, according to Autoliv research.
Initial findings suggest the addition of an airbag would reduce the risk of a cyclist sustaining moderate (for example, mild concussion) to fatal head injuries from 80 per cent to 30 per cent in a 20km/h impact.
The companies explain the rising popularity of electric bikes, which permit cyclists to travel at higher speeds when commuting on traffic-filled roads, spurred them to develop the technology.
Design and testing
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The final concept divides the airbag into three fabric channels and conceals it in the helmet.
On impact, the airbag expands to a pressure of 60kPa to cover the sides and top of the head.
POC and Autoliv say they simulated car-to-bicycle crashes and conducted physical crash tests on dummies.
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Scientists placed the helmet with the integrated airbag on a crash test dummy head.
They then dropped the head onto either flat or slanted surfaces from either 1.5m or 1.8m to mimic a head hitting the ground.
POC and Autoliv claim when the airbag inflates, it takes the initial impact and the underlying helmet works as usual.
Together, the airbag and helmet slow head acceleration and “significantly reduced head injury risk in impact tests”, according to the brands.
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According to POC and Autoliv, this airbag design does not compromise the helmet’s looks, weight or comfort. The helmet performs as safely as normal if the airbag does not inflate.
Scientists collected data from cyclists, including during crash simulation, to train the airbag-triggering mechanism.
Where is this heading?
The companies say the pre-study’s “successful outcome” will lead to more testing before a product is potentially brought to market.
Researchers wish to maximise how much of the head the airbag covers.
They also want to evaluate the airbag’s protection when the head hits the ground at different angles.