Researchers present intelligent bicycle helmet at Hannover Messe

How is it possible to enhance cyclist safety in road traffic? For the first time, THI presents the simulation of an intelligent bicycle helmet at its stand (Hall 2, A52) at Hannover Messe – a helmet that combines safety and comfort functions: for increased riding safety, the helmet integrates cycle paths into route planning and informs the rider if he/she fails to use cycle paths or uses them incorrectly. In the future, the helmet will indicate typical hazardous situations – such as when a truck turn right alongside a cyclist riding straight ahead.

At Hannover Messe, the public will be actively involved in this development project: a bicycle simulator and a virtual test environment allow visitors to experience the helmet for themselves. Their personal impressions will feed directly into the further development of the helmet by means of a questionnaire. The bicycle helmet is being developed as part of “People on the Move”, a project being run jointly by THI and the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt (KU). The aim of this innovation alliance is to ensure knowledge and innovations from the universities are made available to the public at large.

As a second major network project, THI presents the research partnership SAFIR. SAFIR connects the university with partners from industry and public institutions. The participants are working to develop networked safety systems that are intended to benefit all road users. AWARE, the Brazilian network presented at the THI stand, also pursues the goal of looking at university activities from the perspective of broader social relevance and thus strengthening the so-called "third mission", i.e. the transfer to society.

Projects such as SAFIR and “People on the Move” are made possible by funding programmes provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), and THI also provides information on these at the joint Bayern Innovativ stand in the “Research & Technology” hall.

There are 5,800 students at THI pursuing studies in the fields of engineering, information technology and economics. One third of its degree courses are tailored to automotive and aviation, as is appropriate to a mobility-oriented university. Research is an important pillar of the university, in particular with the CARISSMA research and test facility– the scientific control centre for vehicle safety in Germany.