Almenno S. Bartolomeo (BG), Italy

“Since the founding of our company 25 years ago, we have always focused on safety,” said CEO and Founder Antonio Locatelli. 

“This obsession led to the development of the helmet with an integrated airbag.”

The Italian manufacturer Airoh has unveiled the world’s first airbag-integrated helmet prototype and is expected to be available in global markets by 2023.

The new prototype model with the explosive safety technology has been made in collaboration with Autoliv, a Swedish manufacturer known for its 70-year experience in airbag vests and motorcycle inflatable solutions. 

This joint effort was thanks to the inspiration of a young Italian engineer, Roberta Descrovi. 

She studied the idea of airbag integration in helmets during her studies at Sheffield Hallam University.

The integrated airbag functions the same way as the tech in a car’s dashboard. 

Upon impact, the airbag is electronically deployed from the crown of the helmet and smaller sections on the outer shell to offer greater absorption than a conventional helmet. 

The airbag is inflated by a gas generator using technology similar to automotive airbag systems. 

The module is fully integrated into the helmet, covered with shields that can open and allow inflation of the airbag.

The companies claim that the airbag will absorb most of the impact that otherwise would have transferred to the skull. 

Airoh has also claimed that the probability of a skull fracture is reduced by half.

However, no speed or impact details have been provided to back that claim. 

Nearly 44% of all cars have Autoliv airbag products in them, and with research estimating around 35,000 people to have been saved from airbags, 

Mikael Bratt, President, and CEO of Autoliv, is eager to start similar successes in the two-wheeled sector. 

“To substantially reduce the number of rider injuries and fatalities, we need to take a holistic approach,” states Bratt.

“Our insights into crash data, biomechanics and tools for injury assessment, in combination with expertise from Airoh is an opportunity to enhance head protection and save more lives.”

Project: The World’s First Airbag-Integrated Helmet
Manufacturers: Locatelli SpA and Autoliv, Inc.