"Ever since its inception in the early 2000s, Swedish brand MIPS has had a monopoly, more or less, on inclusion in high-end bike helmets. Its device-revolutionary at the time-deflects rotational impact away from the head in the event of a crash, thereby reducing the likelihood of brain trauma. However, it has also provoked many companies to research and develop their own proprietary rotational impact protection units, most of which are different takes on the same concept -a snug inner webbing that is able to move independently of the helmet's outer shell."
"British brand RLS took a new stance on rotational impact protection, moving its device from the inside of the helmet to the outside. In doing so, the company claims that its technology can reduce the risk of concussion by four times when compared to traditional helmets. Studies at the standard-bearing helmet-safety lab at Virginia Tech University have confirmed those claims, giving the new Canyon Deflectr RLS-the first commercial helmet available with RLS-their highest rating after recent testing."
Canyon's Deflectr RLS helmet is the first commercial bike helmet in the U.S. to incorporate British RLS's external rotational-impact protection system. RLS relocates rotational-impact mitigation from an inner liner to external polycarbonate ball-bearing strips, claiming a fourfold reduction in concussion risk compared to traditional helmets and receiving the highest rating from Virginia Tech's helmet-safety lab. The helmet is reasonably priced, very light, and features an innovative one-handed strap system. Early RLS development involved fastening hundreds of tiny bearings to adhesive strips applied to helmet shells. Limited color options are noted as a drawback.
Read at WIRED
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