PREMISE

As we begin picking up the pieces from the COVID pandemic, commuting and mobility is being re-assessed to conform to the new norm. The idea for a smart helmet was born from the desire to address the need for improved personal protective equipment (PPE) in various industries. The team at Numorpho recognized the potential of integrating advanced technologies such as 3D printing, sensor fusion, augmented reality (AR), and machine learning into a revolutionary PPE product.

This article aggregates our MVP based progression of a unique case of a smart folding helmet, manufactured using advanced engineering and embedded with sensors that will be produced in custom mass scale and available in different types – from hard hats to safety helmets: industrial helmets, military use, bicycle helmets and others.

Making the Case for a Folding Helmet

Personal commuting using e-Bikes is becoming more prevalent and adjacent products are being introduced that would need ideation, analysis, and engineering to understand the future needs of personal safety and connectivity. This could also extend to re-exploring weekends outdoors and visits to downtown in urban settings without using local transportation or hailing cabs.

A bike helmet that would neatly fold into a form factor that could be easily carried around will be our first product set to establish this new sense of freedom and mobility. New additive manufacturing techniques will use 3D printers to produce helmet shells and liners and will eventually produce complete helmets. They have the potential to replace foam in high-end helmets. Each helmet will be printed individually, giving rise to the ability to make a custom helmet fitted to an individual rider’s head.

We know people may blow off foldable helmets as being an unnecessary product, but when you actually think about it, a helmet that can fit in a briefcase, backpack, or purse could have a huge market and lifestyle impact. Most people don’t leave the house with their bike helmet ‘just in case’ they might have a need for it; they’re too awkward and clunky and take up too much space for that.

People who commute or leisurely cycle in urban environments often don’t wear a helmet when they are planning to ride; you can see there’s an issue. Having a helmet that occupies half the space or less, one that can easily fit in a briefcase, tote bag, or backpack, may encourage people to bring one and wear one. Making it totable also solves the tough choice of lugging around your own bulky helmet or leaving it exposed when locked up with your bike.

Though Numorpho does not consider itself a “products company” we do think it’s important, if not necessary, for our clients to see how effective our advanced engineering and product creation models truly are. As such, we chose to make a smart foldable helmet that would revolutionize the way people interact with this important piece of safety equipment.

LINKS

Here are links to all pertinent documents related to the building of the smart helmet.

We are in the process of building a Proto Factory – a glass cell consisting of 3 pods: Upstream, Midstream and Downstream to showcase the art of new manufacturing. More details are at Proto Factory: The Genesis of Advanced Manufacturing

SUMMARY

Albeit our focus is to enable process automation, products such as these would help us prove and improve the platform elements and the ecosystem we are building to enable as we call it the art of the possible by coupling design with the science and mathematics of engineering.

There is still a lot to be done to make our helmet perfect. It will also form the basis for our smart and connected products to come. So, lets band together to trip the light fantastic.

NITIN UCHIL Founder, CEO & Technical Evangelist
nitin.uchil@numorpho.com