Stockholm, Sweden based MIPS has announced a new proprietary analysis technique to allow it to "significantly increase safety while reducing the cost of its technology to motorcycle helmet brands and manufacturers".
Describing it as "the future of helmet development", MIPS' new Finite Element Analysis (FEA) tool is the latest state-of-the-art computer science technique it is using to replicate and predict the response in lab-based and real-life impact helmet testing more quickly and efficiently.
"With nearly 20 years of experience developing ground-breaking testing methodology, MIPS has become a pioneer in utilising virtual testing for linear and rotational motion," says MIPS CEO, Max Strandwitz.
“Our 20 plus years of research and simulating real-world accidents has led us to this ground-breaking way to test helmets. We are committed to lead the world to safer helmets and at the same time help to improve the development process for helmet brands.
"This is the way forward, and in the near future we will be able to test all different kinds of helmets according to leading standards, all in the name of consumer safety. Developing new helmets has always been a demanding task lined with uncertainties, even for the most experienced.
"Multiple design iterations and a lengthy testing procedure can make the helmet manufacturing process expensive and time-consuming. To make sure a helmet performs in accordance with the latest standards, which incorporates increased protection for both linear and rotational motion, it requires another level in helmet development and testing.
"Thanks to our new FEA method, brands are now able to expedite both the development and testing process, while also reducing costs and cutting the length of time to bring a safer helmet to market.
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| MIPS CEO, Max Strandwitz |
"MIPS now offers brands its virtual testing service where helmets can be compared and tested in accordance with a wide range of standards. The first testing standard to utilise the FEA testing method will be ECE 22.06, which includes testing for rotational motion - the foundation of MIPS’ technology."
The company states that the benefits of Finite Element Analysis include enabling brands to understand how the helmet will perform in both linear and rotational testing at an earlier stage in the development cycle, using CAD files during the virtual tests.
"Brands can optimise the helmet’s performance from a safety perspective and achieve faster product development, with fewer iterations and less re-tooling."
It adds to the environmentally friendly profile of the development process with less material consumed and less shipping. It is more cost-effective, and by expediting development results it can give riders access to a superior level of safety sooner.
MIPS specialises in helmet-based safety and protection of the brain and says it is the world leader in this field. Based on an ingredient brand model, the MIPS patented Brain Protection System (BPS) is sold to the global helmet industry with, currently, over 14 million helmets from over 100 helmet brands equipped with MIPS BPS. www.mipsprotection.com
