Good Thinking

Kranium cardboard bicycle helmet now available for purchase

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The Kranium cardboard-core bicycle helmet is now available for pre-order in the UK
The Kranium is reportedly 15 percent lighter than similar foam-cored helmets, and is able to withstand three times as much impact energy
The Kranium cardboard-core bicycle helmet is now available for pre-order in the UK
The Kranium's waterproof honeycomb cardboard structure
In testing, one of the Kranium helmets was said to still pass British safety standards after five impacts
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Just last month, we told you about the Kranium – a prototype bicycle helmet with a core made from cardboard instead of the usual expanded foam. Well, we obviously weren’t the only ones impressed by it. German security devices manufacturer Abus has picked up the design, resulting in the Kranium AKS 1 helmet now being available in the UK.

To recap our previous article, the Kranium was designed by Royal College of Art student Anirudha Surabhi, who was inspired by the corrugated cartilage structure that protects the woodpecker’s skull against heavy impacts made by its beak as it pecks.

He proceeded to create a bike helmet with a honeycomb cardboard structure dubbed “Dual Density Honey Comb Board,” or D2. Like Abus’ commercial version, Surabhi’s prototype was reportedly 15 percent lighter than similar foam-cored helmets, and – thanks to its ability to flex somewhat – was able to withstand three times as much impact energy.

The Kranium is reportedly 15 percent lighter than similar foam-cored helmets, and is able to withstand three times as much impact energy

According to Velorution, the London cycling store now pre-selling a limited edition introductory model of the AKS 1, the helmet can also stand up to repeated impacts. In testing, one of the helmets was said to still pass British safety standards after five impacts – users of traditional helmets, by contrast, are advised to replace their helmets after even one impact.

The Abus Kranium AKS 1 is available now for pre-order, and is priced at £79.99 (US$129).

Source: Velorution via BikeRadar

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3 comments
moreover
Wow: an invention that makes it into production in virtually no time. I'm impressed. It may have something to do with the fact that European use their bikes for transport, not just for sport: it's a huge market.
Gadgeteer
Looks like it has one tiny vent. Things are going to get very hot and sweaty under that helmet. No, thanks.
John Maruyama
This helmet is notably missing air vents compared to conventional bicycle helmets. Would the missing air vents create the dreaded hot head syndrome and not feel as cool as a vented helmet. I would need to see comparison/test data regarding this before committting to buy.