THE FUTURE OF HELMET TECHNOLOGY THAT REDUCES CONCUSSION RISK

• RLS is proven to reduce the risk of concussion by 4x on average compared with conventional helmets
• Designed and manufactured by engineers based in East London, UK
• Canyon Bicycles will be the first brand to include RLS in their helmets

There are around 55 million* cases of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) reported globally each year. This can lead to a wide spectrum of health outcomes, from mild concussions to long term cognitive disabilities.

With the growing increase of e-bike usage alongside the increase of e-bike injuries- (incidence of head trauma from e-bicycle accidents in 2022 was approximately 49x higher than in 2017.  A growth rate that outpaced overall e-bicycle injuries).** – it’s never been more important to develop a solution that reduces TBI, not only for e-bike riders, but cyclists, motorcyclists and safety workers.

Introducing RLS (Release Layer System). RLS is a new patented technology that reduces concussion risk by enabling panels on the exterior of a helmet to roll and release upon impact, significantly dissipating rotational force that can cause life-changing brain injuries.

The brain – our most vital organ, and the source of our character, personalities and being – is highly sensitive to rotational motion, which is present in the majority of head impacts and a leading cause of TBIs. RLS is so effective, that in an independent study, RLS was found to reduce the risk of concussion by 4x on average compared with conventional helmets***.

Within the layers of a helmet with RLS technology, RLS panels are connected to a lightweight polycarbonate bearing layer that is designed to activate when a significant impact force has been detected. Upon impact, the technology is designed to work in a matter of milliseconds. The bearings are free to roll in any direction to allow the RLS panel to release, thereby redirecting concussive forces away from the brain.

• React: The patented RLS adhesive layer is engineered to react instantaneously to specific impact force, releasing its grip and allowing bearings to roll.

• Roll: The RLS Panel is now free to roll on lightweight polycarbonate bearings in any direction, to redirect rotational energy from the brain. 
• Release: The RLS Panel releases to further dissipate rotational energy, which can help better protect helmet wearers from concussive force.

Helmets with RLS technology are independently tested by experts in the field.  And the data speaks for itself.  Tests conducted by ICUBE at the University of Strasbourg – a world leading research centre in biomechanics – found that helmets with the Release Layer System reduced Peak Rotational Velocity by an average of 56% – 66% across different impact locations, compared to the same helmets without RLS.  This corresponds to a 68% – 84% reduction in the probability of brain injury as estimated by the Abbreviated Injury Scale – Level 2.

Conventional helmets are designed to address linear impact forces, despite the fact that most real-world accidents generate significant rotational forces.  Some technologies, such as Mips, aim to mitigate these rotational forces by allowing the helmet to rotate independently from the skull.  These technologies, which are generally located on the inside of the helmet, offer a limited range of motion during the critical milliseconds of an impact.  RLS addresses rotational motion through the free-release of panels located on the outside of the helmet.

As with many great innovations, this technology was discovered almost by accident, by the founder of RLS, Jamie Cook. Jamie, who was working in the helmet industry as co-founder of HEXR, the 3D printed custom helmet company, noticed that the outer shells of his colleague’s 3D printed helmet released in an accident, and this action was found to significantly reduce rotational forces and the risk of concussion.  Jamie and his research team began exploring the most efficient ways of releasing panels which led to the use of small lightweight bearings between the shells.

The first helmet available to consumers with RLS will be the Canyon Deflectr Trail Helmet, due for release later this Autumn. Canyon Bicycles, based in Koblenz, Germany have been working closely with the RLS team to build the technology into their new helmet, and as so, the Deflectr Trail helmet is now number 1 on the Virginia Tech helmet ratings (as of 23/9/25).

“RLS is first and foremost designed to protect what makes you, you”, says RLS founder and CEO Jamie Cook. “Your memories, your personality, your loves and hates are all in the most fascinating part of the body – the brain – and RLS has been developed to protect what matters most. We are incredibly excited to launch this technology today, especially with our launch partners at Canyon as we share a passion for safety and disruption technology.”

Over the coming months, RLS will announce further leading brands and partners that will incorporate RLS technology.

For more information on RLS, please contact mathilde@fusion-media.co.uk or head to www.releaselayer.com