CARRERA COMPACTA

Motorcycle Protective Equipment Thesis project.

THE BRIEF

Design a solution that improves the safety of motorcycle users, to reduce life threatening injuries without compromising their comfort.

Head & spine protection

Ventilation

Visibility

RESEARCH

User behavior and product research was conducted to find the needs not met by current solutions, and define areas for improvement.

Persona

  • Joe Martins
  • 26
  • Architect
  • Income of $ 90 000 a year
  • University Grad
  • In a relationship
  • Lives in Toronto, ON
  • Rides motorcycle most weekends from spring to fall and an average of 3-5 hours per day
  • Attends bike meets regularly
  • Stays in shape
  • Other hobbies include Snowboarding

Different scenarios of motorcycle crashes were analyzed to find the main parts of the body that need the most protection during a collision. Velocity and time patterns during a collision were examined to understand how the incoming forces affect the body upon impact.

Struck by another vehicle

Endover ejection

Highside

Lowside

Speed vs severity of injury

Head and spine injuries and are the leading causes of fatal crashes and also the most common. These dramatically increase the medical costs needed to provide care for patients.

Materials

Innovative materials and wearable tech were researched to find alternatives in the methods used to provide the highest possible levels of safety.

Robotics embedded in apparel

D3O impact technology

Mushroom leather

3D knitted spider silk

USER JOURNEY MAP

Step 1Step 2Step 3
Gearing up

Put on jacket

1. Insert arms into
2. Zip up
3. Fasten buckles (some jackets)
Put on gloves

1. Insert hands into gloves.
2. Fasten wrist buckles

Put on helmet

1. Place head inside the helmet.
2. Fasten helmet buckle
30 Minutes

Sweat inside helmet and
jacket causes discomfort

Wrist pain and numbness
from supporting body
weight on wrists

1hr

Neck and back fatigue
begin to affect the user’s
posture

The user’s attention span
and response is
compromised by
discomfort

2hr Avg

MOODBOARD

A variety of images were gathered to create a mood board for inspiration to accomplish the desired CMF and aesthetic.

IDEATION

The head and spine are the most vulnerable areas in a motorcycle crash. Sketches were developed to fulfill these success criteria.

CONCEPT SELECTION

PROTYPE ITIRATIONS

FINAL PROTOTYPE

A 1/4 scale model was made by 3D printing the helmet and using the tech pack made in CLO 3D for the garment.

CONCEPT REFINEMENT

The selected concept was further developed through more sketches and CAD iterations.

CURRENT STATUS

The following is the current outcome as a work in progress.

Magnets and neck brace secure inside liner to the helmet

SPINE PROTECTION

Small electric muscles allow the garment to provide individualized support to the spine responding to incoming impact forces during a collision.

The electric muscles align with the neck and back composition to assist the user in maintaining proper posture for as long as 4-5 hours alleviating fatigue.

VISIBILITY TO OTHERS ON THE ROAD

Next Work