Bicycle safety can often be overlooked for the sake of both style and comfort, but the Cyclist Protector Concept hopes to bridge the gap between the three by introducing a flexible alternative to the traditional helmet design. Created for the Seoul Cycle Design Competition, the Cyclist Protector Concept is a hybrid between a helmet and vest.
Designed by Jakab Barna in collaboration with Andras Oravecz, the Cyclist Protector Concept is made out of an easy-to-produce material called the Non Newtonian Gel. This material gives the 'helmet' its soft flexibility, effectively turning it into more of a hood than a hard piece of headgear. When impacted, this substance turns into a protective solid. As a whole, it is also very visible, alerting motorists that a cyclist is on the road.
Hood-Like Helmets
The Cyclist Protector Concept is Stylish, Flexible and Comfortable
Trend Themes
1. Flexible Helmet Designs - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of flexible materials like Non Newtonian Gel to create helmets that are comfortable, stylish, and provide proper protection.
2. Hybrid Helmet-vest Designs - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Combine helmet and vest functionalities to create innovative safety gear that offers enhanced visibility and impact protection.
3. Visible Safety Accessories - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop highly visible accessories for cyclists, such as hood-like helmets, that alert motorists to their presence on the road.
Industry Implications
1. Cycling Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce new helmet designs and safety accessories to the cycling market, catering to consumers' demand for style, comfort, and safety.
2. Sportswear Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with sportswear brands to create innovative helmet-vest designs that provide both style and protection, appealing to fashion-conscious athletes.
3. Safety Gear Manufacturing Industry - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Invest in research and development to produce flexible helmet materials like Non Newtonian Gel, capturing a niche market of safety-conscious cyclists.