Vicis Zero1 outperforms competing smart helmets in NFL/NFLPA safety tests

By Kelly Hodgkins Published January 5, 2018

VICIS ZERO1 TECH SYNOPSIS

The sport of football is increasingly under scrutiny for its high risk of brain injury from repeated concussions. After years of denial, the NFL acknowledged this risk and started funding research that will produce technology to reduce the risk of concussions. One company, Seattle-based Vicis, used this windfall to develop the Zero1, a football helmet designed to absorb an impact and bounce back much like a car bumper. The technology is so effective against impacts that the Zero1 ranked highest in a recent NFL/NFL Players Association Helmet Laboratory performance test that evaluated 33 of the best helmets available.

The Zero1 uses a multi-layer design that is finely tuned for the impact types and velocities observed in professional football. The helmet has an impact-absorbing layer comprised of a series of columns that flex in response to an impact regardless of its angle or location. Because of their arrangement, these columns can absorb both linear and rotational impacts. This inner absorbing layer is paired with a shell that bends much like a car bumper. It flexes upon impact and immediately bounces back to its original form before the next impact. Safe and comfortable, the Zero1 is equipped the company’s Axis Fit technology which allows players to dial in a custom fit.

Recommended Videos

Earlier in 2017, the NFL/NFLPA Helmet Laboratory tested 33 different helmets in a series of tests designed to simulate head impacts experienced by NFL players. The team of researchers divided the helmets into two groups and evaluated each helmet’s ability to reduce the severity of the impact. When the testing was completed, the Zero1 had the best overall score, beating competing helmets from Riddell, Schutt, and Xenith. The Zero1 will undergo another round of testing this summer, but this time the helmet will be evaluated by players in real-world situations. More than 25 NFL teams are expected to wear the Zero1 helmet during their upcoming pre-season activities.

Topics

Contributor

Kelly's been writing online for ten years, working at Gizmodo, TUAW, and BGR among others. Living near the White Mountains of…

Emerging Tech

Juiced Bikes sold at auction for $1.2 million, report says

The Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 adds more power, upgraded tires, and an improved battery to the popular moped style e-bike.

Juiced Bikes, the San Diego-based maker of e-bikes, has been sold on an auction website for $1,225,000, according to a report from Electrek.Digital Trends recently reported how the company was showing signs of being on the brink of bankruptcy. The company and its executives had remained silent, while customer inquiries went unanswered and its website showed all products were out of stock. In addition, there were numerous reports of layoffs at the company.Yet, the most convincing sign was that the company’s assets appeared as listed for sale on an auction website used by companies that go out of business.Now, it appears that Juiced Bikes’ assets, including a dozen patents, multiple URLs, and the company’s inventory in both the U.S. and China, have been sold at auction, according to the report. It is likely that the buyer, who remains unknown, can capitalize on the brand and the overall value of the 15-year old company. Founded in 2009 by Tora Harris, a U.S. high-jump Olympian, Juiced Bikes was one of the early pioneers of the direct-to-consumer e-bike brands in the U.S. market.
The company had quickly built a reputation for the versatility of its e-bikes and the durability of their batteries. Over the years, the popularity of models such as the CrossCurrent, HyperScrambler, and RipCurrent only bolstered the brand’s status.Last year, Digital Trends named the Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 as the best moped-style e-bike for 2023, citing its versatility, rich feature set, and performance.Juiced Bikes’ getting sold quickly might be a sign of what consulting firm Houlihan Lokey says is a recovery in the North American e-bike market.
The industry has had a roller-coaster ride during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A huge spike in demand for e-bikes had combined with disrupted supply chains to create a supply/demand mismatch of “historic proportions," Houlihan Lokey said.

Branded Content

Adventure time: SUPCASE has the ultimate gear for outdoor enthusiasts

A variety of outdoor gear options for the ultimate wilderness enthusiast.

Scenic view from inside a tent while camping.

You might know SUPCASE for its excellent collection of durable and rugged phone cases. But as it's in the industry of making tough gear for the adventurous sorts, it should come as no surprise that the brand also has a valuable collection of outdoor gear. Just to provide some examples, a multi-functional pocket tool, a rugged and water-resistant equipment case, a durable yet spacious backpack, or even a sleek yet reliable bottle opener.

In fact, there are quite a few options, so many that it could be tough to nail down just one tool or outdoor item you'd need. Naturally, we put together this guide to explore some of the ultimate gear, but you can always peep at them yourself, as well.

Branded Content

Aventon Abound SR combines thoughtful design, enhanced security, and smart connectivity

Aventon Abound SR hero image with couple on the e-bike

Electric bikes are nothing new at this point, and while there are many styles, few purportedly do-it-all, and even fewer actually offer smart or more advanced features. They tend to do one thing particularly well, like cruising, carrying cargo, or sightseeing -- like city riding -- but the biggest way they push the envelope is by offering that long-range electric power. The Aventon Abound SR, a new do-it-all bike, goes far and beyond anything that's come before it.

For starters, it's the first bike equipped with Aventon's electronic control unit (ACU) which empowers intelligent safety features. That gives you 4G and GPS tracking built-in, plus remote locking, an alarm system, and much more. But also, this top-of-its-class bike is incredibly versatile and is suitable for everything from commutes to tough exercise rides and daily routines. It features a top speed of 20 miles per hour, has a range of up to 60 miles per charge, and can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds. Impressive, indeed. Let's take a closer look and get a little more friendly with it, shall we?