Official Release: Lazer announces KinetiCore technology | Next-level brain protection
Lazer, the Belgium-based helmet company has created the world’s first fully-integrated rotational-impact technology, known as KinetiCore. Essentially it is a cone-like crumple zone on the inside of the helmet designed to break under impact and dissipate energy away from the skull. Here’s the official release:
Next-level brain protection that’s better by design.
Lazer helmets with KinetiCore technology proudly announce our unique built-in rotational-impact protection. The new impact technology incorporates unique Controlled Crumple Zones. As KinetiCore is built-in and fully integrated within the helmet’s core, it reduces the weight of the helmet and improves ventilation. The launch of KinetiCore technology is the result of over 10 years of research, testing and refinement by our team.
KinetiCore is unlike any other helmet technology in existence. We worked for over a decade to create a new technology that completely changes the current way of thinking about brain protection. The result is KinetiCore: advanced protection technology that’s built into the helmet rather than added on.
The evolution of brain protection
Lazer has been designing protective gear since 1919. The company also has an influential history with pro riders – so influential, in fact, that Lazer was responsible for pushing the pro peloton to wear proper head protection in the days before it was mandatory. Around 10 years ago, as awareness of rotational-impact injuries began to advance and other technologies developed, we started developing our own innovative proprietary (rotational)-impact technology that was built into the helmet rather than added on as an extra. To do that, the design team had to tear up helmet design and start from scratch.
We began by assessing how different types of impacts affect cyclists. Using advanced simulations to examine what happens to riders’ skulls and brains in the event of direct and rotational impacts, we created thousands of templates in our quest for the new tech. The breakthrough moment came when the team examined cars’ crumple zones. This inspired us to build cone-like crumple zones on the inside of the helmet, designed to break under impact and dissipate energy away from the rider’s skull. The result is KinetiCore’s Controlled Crumple Zones – a unique set of EPS foam blocks built into the helmet designed to buckle in the event of direct and rotational impacts, redirecting energy away from the brain.
Advanced protection and lighter weight
The fact that KinetiCore is integrated into the helmet is crucial as it reduces the overall weight of the helmet, which improves riders’ speed and comfort. It also means that we are able to design each helmet to the company’s own specifications and build KinetiCore in – rather than having to add it on afterward. In turn, this means Lazer can increase ventilation and improve airflow through each design, something that all riders are looking for. It also results in less plastic being used in construction than with previous comparable models. With KinetiCore, we have created something that moves impact absorption technology forward. Our Integrated Rotational Impact Protection based on the Controlled Crumple Zones protects riders from both direct and rotational impacts, so they can ride with confidence.
Lazer’s commercial director Mike Smink: “Our aim has always been to protect cyclists in the event of crashes in the most effective, comfortable and stylish way possible. KinetiCore aligns to our mission, based on a principle that has been our foundation for over 100 years: ‘To contribute to a society where cyclists can enjoy riding in safety.’”
Lazer’s general manager Sean van Waes: “We use the pro peloton as a statement for our helmets, because if it’s good for riding 250km and then sprinting and winning, then it’s good for our customers as well. That’s why at Lazer we’re not working for the pro riders, we’re using them to make sure our customers have the best helmets possible.”
Lazer’s R&D manager Guido de Bruyne: “With our position of holding the most 5-star rated helmets within the independent Virginia Tech bicycle helmet rating, the moment they confirmed our first KinetiCore helmets with 5 stars was hugely important. This is because this standard is recognized as the leading independent reference to cyclist brain-protection technology.”
