'ESUB tracks' is a smart bicycle helmet with added electronic safety features

germany based design firm werteloberfell, has collaborated with a group of material scientists in finnland and france to introduce ‘ESUB tracks’, a smart, self-sufficient urban bicycle helmet. the innovative design incorporates electronic features to further improve users’ safety. with a set of flat printed organic photovoltaics wrapping around its basic form, the surface of the helmet is used to recharge the batteries to power all electronic components.

smart bicycle helmet with added safety features to keep you safe
all images & video courtesy of werteloberfell, CEA liten

the helmet by werteloberfell, CEA liten and VTT incorporates a selection of electronic features to make cyclists’ experience easier and safer. printed piezoelectric bone conduction speakers are heat pressed onto the leather straps, while an embossed form ensures that the speaker surface is slightly pressed against the area in front of the user’s ears. the speakers connect via bluetooth to the cyclist’s smartphone and deliver audio without reducing awareness of one’s surroundings.

flat printed electronics – printed organic photovoltaics (OPV), printed organic battery and printed piezoelectric actuators

proximity sensors monitor the area behind the user, so that if a fast vehicle is approaching from behind, left & right piezoelectric haptic actuators start vibrating to warn the cyclist. the printed piezoelectric microphone is able to understand basic voice commands and controls the turn signal indicator lights. once the chin buckle is closed, an electric drive fastens the straps until the helmet sits comfortable & safe.

printed organic battery

all electric additions are controlled by a nano arduino board and are powered by printed organic batteries. both are contained in a unit that sits on the lower rear part of the helmet. this design concept originates from an EU funded collaboration between designers and material scientists, material suppliers, end-users and manufacturers. its aim is to explore how novel materials can help to improve safety and the user experience while commuting or cycling for leisure.

printed piezoelectric bone conduction speakers lets you listen to your audio without reducing awareness of your surroundings

material sample of printed piezoelectric actuators heat pressed onto leather

printed piezoelectric microphone is able to understand basic voice commands, for example to control the turn signal indicator lights

lab testing of piezo-microphone

rear part of helmet contains turn signal indicator lights & proximity sensors

material sample showing printed actuator

printed piezoelectric haptic actuators warn of fast vehicles approaching from behind

once the chin buckle is closed, an electric drive fastens the straps

self-adjusting drive fastens the straps until the helmet sits comfortable & safe

project info:

name: ESUB tracks – smart bicycle helmet

designers: werteloberfell

together with: hadrien fouin

special mentions: VTT finnland, CEA liten france, university of glasgow, PDR – UK

this project has received funding from the european union’s horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement no. 761112

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom