MIPS Helmet Safety - Fewer Fatalities Could Be Achieved!

The employee turnover rate at MIPS is remarkably low, which speaks volumes about the company and its life-saving products. This noble mission of saving lives instills a sense of enthusiasm and drive in every employee I met and spoke to at MIPS in Sweden. It's no surprise that MIPS, after nearly 30 years, boasts an extensive portfolio of helmet safety systems for all applications. According to MIPS CEO Max Strandwitz, the currently small percentage of motorcycle helmets compared to the leading bicycle and ski helmets is expected to change soon, as explained in the following interview.

Die Fluktuationsrate von Mitarbeitern bei Mips ist sehr niedrig, was viel über das Unternehmen aussagt und größtenteils auf die von Mips entwickelten Sicherheitssysteme zurückzuführen ist. Für die Mitarbeiter von Mips geht es um die Vision, Leben zu retten. Allein dieser edle Gedanke sorgt dafür, dass alle Mitarbeiter, die ich bei Mips in Schweden getroffen und gesprochen habe, mit Begeisterung und Elan bei der Sache sind. Es überrascht nicht, dass Mips nach fast 30 Jahren beharrlicher Forschung und Entwicklung im Bereich der Helmsicherheit heute ein umfangreiches Portfolio an Sicherheitssystemen für Helme in allen Einsatzbereichen anbietet. Obwohl Motorradhelme im Vergleich zu den Hauptakteuren Fahrrad- und Skihelmen derzeit nur einen geringen Anteil ausmachen, erklärt Mips-CEO Max Strandwitz im folgenden Interview, dass sich dies in naher Zukunft ändern soll.

Max Strandwitz: MIPS stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It's a protective system that functions with all types of helmet impacts, utilizing sophisticated technology that operates with impacts from any direction—be it front, back, or side. The primary focus is on mitigating the rotational force that almost always occurs during an impact, helping to cushion that initial jarring motion. This happens within 5 to 10 milliseconds—considering that a blink takes about 100 milliseconds! The MIPS system allows for 10 to 15 millimeters of movement, which is enough to significantly prevent serious injuries. Not all helmet manufacturers incorporate this rotational aspect, and even the latest ECE 22.06 standard doesn't address it to the extent that we achieve with our technology!

MIPS was founded by neurosurgeon Hans von Holst, who was repeatedly confronted with brain injuries after accidents that he believed could have been prevented with better safety systems. The journey began in 1995 with a long search for investors until MIPS AB was established in 2001. MIPS became profitable for the first time in 2015, and since then, it has seen a justified and fortunate upward trajectory. Computer work has become increasingly important, and through the Finite Element Method, we can derive plausible insights from computer simulations before conducting real tests, saving a tremendous amount of time and effort. Currently, MIPS employs around 110 people, 60 of whom are engineers. We also have 24 staff members stationed in China who collaborate with helmet manufacturers there.

The share of MIPS motorcycle helmets in the overall market is rapidly increasing, and we are already collaborating with more than 20 helmet manufacturers—which, of course, pleases us. This indicates that customers are increasingly recognizing our system's importance for their health and safety. However, within the MIPS range, motorcycle helmets currently make up only about 5 percent, most of which are motocross and enduro helmets. This initially makes sense because offroad riding involves a higher expectation of falls—anyone who has ridden offroad has likely experienced at least one, if not several, falls. Therefore, offroaders typically wear extensive protective gear and appreciate the enhanced safety that MIPS provides. In contrast, the road motorcyclist is significantly different—it's all about freedom and speed. The only touchpoints, so to speak, are the two wheels and the engine.

Absolutely not, MIPS is suitable for every motorcyclist! Even a slight rotational impact can have serious consequences. So, it's illogical to think you need less protection on the road. On the street, you're just as likely to fall or be involved in an accident—you need to be prepared for that! In fact, on the road, the chances of colliding with other vehicles are much higher than in open offroad terrain. The highest likelihood of colliding with other objects is in urban areas—I don't accept the argument that speeds are lower there. We conduct many of our impact tests at speeds below 30 km/h and still see significant head and brain injuries in helmets without MIPS.

Yes, definitely. A helmet development takes about three years on average, and we're already collaborating with other racers. Consequently, there will naturally be an even greater selection of motorcycle helmets with integrated MIPS for every buyer. Aleix, for instance, uses the MIPS Integra TX, a system that is very well integrated into the helmet and meets the particularly stringent requirements of the FIM (Note: The various MIPS used in motorcycle helmets are described following the interview). Additionally, MIPS is available not only for expensive helmets but also for lower-priced models.

That varies depending on the helmet category. Currently, you can expect to pay approximately 20 to 60 Euros more.

We use systems weighing only 7 grams in bicycle helmets, which hardly impacts the weight. Even the heaviest variants for ski and equestrian helmets weigh barely more than 50 grams. Motorcycle helmet systems fall somewhere in between.

Well, I can't go into too much detail, but we're currently building another test lab here at our headquarters in Sweden. There, we'll be testing and subsequently developing even better MIPS systems. We've also developed our own helmet, which we could theoretically launch at any time. However, we currently believe it's better to collaborate with renowned helmet brands—integrating our product into theirs to enhance them, with more than 12 new models coming next year. But should there be a demand for fully MIPS-produced helmets—we're ready!

Many thanks to Max Strandwitz for this insightful interview!

In an angled helmet impact, sudden and severe rotational movements of the head can occur, often leading to concussions and brain injuries. The MIPS Integra system is designed to allow movement within the helmet, helping to reduce rotational motions of the head in specific angled impact scenarios, thereby decreasing the risk of such injuries.

Based on the different requirements of motorcycle helmets (such as the clear differences between full-face and motocross helmets), MIPS offers three distinct systems for motorcycle helmets: Integra Fuse, Integra Split, and Integra TX. The MIPS Integra Split system is integrated into the energy-absorbing shell. By dividing the shell into three separate parts and adding a low-friction layer between the moving layers, the system allows for freedom of movement, which helps reduce rotational movements. The design enables integrated ventilation for helmets with generous EPS coverage. The MIPS Integra TX consists of a thin, low-friction shell integrated between the fabric and foam of the helmet padding, allowing movement in all directions inside the helmet. Finally, the MIPS Integra Fuse system features a fully integrated, low-friction shell that is in-molded into the inside of the energy-absorbing shell, providing a comfortable, robust premium solution without adding extra padding thickness to the helmet.