Technology constantly changes as do materials. Carbon fiber helmets have been the recent technology used for motorcycle helmets. Light and impact resistant, it has been THE choice for high-end helmets. But is that going to change ??



A new material has seen the light of day recently. Called D3O and developed by d3oLabs (No, that's not the robot in Star Wars). This ultra light and shock absorbent material has seen itself into the first helmets, called Ribcaps. These "beanie" style helmets are currently used for skiing and snowboarding, but could, I guess, be used to motorcycle helmets.

The advantage of this new technology is obvious. Motorcycle helmets would be very light and flexible, a bit like a hood or a cap. You'd barely notice them, thereby greatly reducing fatigue. But in case of a crash, the material solidifies, thereby absorbing the impact. It's a bit like a liquid helmet.

Therein lies the advance made in this technology. Originally developed by the US Army Labs for body armor, the materials are light and flexible. You can walk with them without the normal resistance felt as with materials such as Kevlar. But when impacted, the materials bind together, and can even stop a bullet.

It's an interesting project. Who knows, maybe we'll be seeing this technology in motorcycle helmets in the not so distant future. But then, the earplug vendors must be rubbing their hands in anticipation of selling a lot of earplugs....