F1 Helmet Design: Don't Hold Back

14 February 2007

CobaltNiche has designed a Formula-1 Helmet as part of a major DIA (Design Institute of Australia) initiative based around design in sport.

The CobaltNiche helmet will be one of approximately 12 helmets being developed for an exhibition at this year’s first race. The Formula 1™ ING Australian Grand Prix (15 –18 March) attracts massive international interest as its the first race on the F1 calendar. The DIA in partnership with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation is using the event to showcase design to business and industry.


Launch Event – You’re invited!
The centrepiece and launch of the exhibition will be a corporate luncheon on 9 March 2007. As well as seeing the whole collection of designer helmets, the lunch at the Carousel restaurant on Albert Park will also feature speakers from the GP as well as Toyota’s lead automotive designer. It will also be an excellent networking event. CLICK HERE (www.eventoffice.com.au/dia) for further details and bookings.

The CobaltNiche Stealth Helmet
CobaltNiche director and DIA councillor, Steve Martinuzzo helped organise the project as a way of demonstrating the creativity and diversity of design. The starting point for most of the participating designers will be a standard F1 driver’s helmet. According to Steve, “we wanted to show that industrial design considered the form and function of a product as well as its surface decoration. This meant developing a total ‘from-the-ground-up’ concept. The design was a true team effort, with our guys in both Australia and Europe getting behind the idea; working weekends and enjoying the creative freedom of being unconstrained by normal commercial product development limitations”.|

The Stealth is based on a unique ‘rear-entry’ method of attachment, allowing a precisely contoured fit. Traditional helmets fit over the head, compromising the size in order to fit over a driver’s head and ears. The CobaltNiche design is placed on from behind, with the visor open and once moved forward to cup the head, the visor is closed over, locking the helmet in place.


The result
Deliberately curvaceous and dynamic, the form is dominated by the large, clear visor and forward leaning shape. The ‘openess’ of the visor was an early objective, allowing TV fans better insight to the driver’s face and expressions, an important part of the drama of sport. Whilst the design is not quite resolved enough for immediate production, it could well be a pointer to tomorrow’s technology using high-performance plastics and heat-mouldable foam materials. It was also a great chance to work with partners such as ARRK and GE Plastics who contributed to the Stealth helmet. ARRK produced the rapid prototyped panels using their extensive in-house prototyping and tooling facilities, and GE Plastics helped with expert plastics advice.