“A cycle helmet with an integrated airbag can significantly improve protection and reduce the consequences of impacts to cyclists. The combination of both absorbing technologies [the helmet itself plus the airbag] enables a reduction of the peak linear head acceleration and significantly reduced head injury risk in impact tests.”
According to POC and Autoliv, here are the next steps to the project:
“The successful outcome of the pre-study will now lead to further testing and refinement with the objective of developing the concept further and potentially bringing a product to the market.”
They aren’t the only company working on this concept, as Hövding is also developing an airbag helmet that focuses more on bikers collars. It’s not clear when or if this will become available to the general public. It’ll be interesting to see if this ever comes to fruition and if it crosses over to skiing and snowboarding. You can learn more about the prototype here.