Greater safety: RLS technology promises a fourfold reduction in the risk of concussion

The innovation developed by British engineers is designed to Risk of concussion to a quarter compared to conventional helmets. This development is particularly relevant in light of the sharp increase in e-bike use and the associated accident figures. The incidence of head injuries in e-bike accidents was around 49 times higher in 2022 than in 2017 - a growth rate that even exceeds the total number of e-bike injuries. The RLS system specifically addresses the dangerous rotational forces that act on the brain during crashes and are the main cause of traumatic head injuries. Brain injuries apply. Canyon Bicycles will be the first manufacturer to implement the technology in its helmets. The Canyon Deflectr Trail Helmet with RLS technology is due to be launched this autumn and is already leading the Virginia Tech helmet ratings.

How RLS technology works

The release layer system is based on a three-stage mechanism that is activated within milliseconds of an impact. Inside the helmet are RLS panels that are connected to a lightweight polycarbonate bearing layer. This construction is activated as soon as a significant impact force is registered. In the first step ("React"), the patented RLS adhesive layer reacts immediately to the specific impact force, releasing its grip and allowing the bearings to rotate. In the second step ("Roll"), the RLS panel can now move in any direction on the lightweight polycarbonate bearings to divert the rotational energy away from the brain. In the third step ("Release"), the panel detaches completely to further distribute the rotational energy and thus better protect the helmet wearer from impact forces. In contrast to conventional helmets, which are mainly designed to absorb linear impact forces, and other technologies such as mips, which are mounted on the inside of the helmet and only offer a limited range of movement, RLS works with freely movable panels on the outside of the helmet to reduce rotational movements more effectively.

Scientific validation and discovery

The effectiveness of RLS technology has been confirmed by independent tests at ICUBE at the University of Strasbourg, one of the world's leading research centres for biomechanics. The tests showed that helmets with the Release Layer System reduce the maximum rotational speed by an average of 56 to 66 per cent compared to identical helmets without RLS, depending on the point of impact. This corresponds to a 68 to 84 per cent reduction in the likelihood of brain injury, as measured by the Abbreviated Injury Scale - Level 2. The discovery of this technology was made almost by accident by Jamie Cook, the founder of RLS and former co-founder of HEXR, a 3D printed helmet company. Cook observed that the outer shells of a colleague's 3D-printed helmet detached during an accident, which significantly reduced the rotational forces and therefore the risk of concussion. He and his research team then began to explore the most efficient methods of releasing panels, which led to the use of small, lightweight bearings between the shells.

Market launch and future prospects

The first helmet available to consumers with RLS technology will be the Canyon Deflectr Trail Helmet, which is due to be launched in autumn 2025. Canyon Bicycles, based in Koblenz, Germany, has worked closely with the RLS team to integrate the technology into their new helmet. The Deflectr Trail helmet is already ranked first in the Virginia Tech helmet ratings (as of 23/09/2025). "RLS is designed first and foremost to protect what makes you you," explains RLS founder and CEO Jamie Cook. "Your memories, your personality, your likes and dislikes all reside in the most fascinating part of the body - the brain - and RLS is designed to protect what's most important. We are incredibly excited to launch this technology today, especially with our launch partners at Canyon, as we share a passion for safety and disruptive technology." In the coming months, RLS plans to announce other leading brands and partners who will integrate RLS technology into their products. The innovation could be relevant not only for cyclists, but also for motorcyclists and security forces and could make a significant contribution to reducing traumatic brain injuries.

Significance for the cycling industry

The introduction of RLS technology marks an important milestone in the development of protective equipment for cycling. While conventional helmets are primarily designed for linear impact forces, RLS specifically addresses the rotational forces that occur in most real-life accidents and are considered the main cause of traumatic brain injuries. The technology differs from existing solutions such as Mips in that it attaches to the outside of the helmet and allows rotational energy to be dissipated much more effectively by completely detaching panels. With the increasing use of e-bikes and the associated increase in average speeds in cycling, protection against serious head injuries is becoming even more important. The partnership with Canyon Bicycles, one of the leading bicycle manufacturers in Europe, emphasises the potential of RLS technology to become the new standard in helmet production. If other well-known manufacturers follow suit, this could herald a paradigm shift in the design of cycle helmets and contribute to the reduction of accident-related brain injuries in cycling in the long term.