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Guardian 自転車用ヘルメット by Leijing Zhou

Guardian 自転車用ヘルメット by Leijing Zhou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 銅賞 in 安全服・個人防護具デザイン Competition Category.


銅防護具· 2025

Guardian 自転車用ヘルメット

by Leijing Zhou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award 銅賞 Winner in 防護具 Category

Colors

The Design

About Guardian 自転車用ヘルメット

Guardianは、聴覚や発話に障がいのあるサイクリストのために設計された安全ヘルメットです。音による警告に代えて、振動アラートとヘッドアップディスプレイを採用しています。センサーとカメラが後方から接近する車両を検知し、ヘルメットが穏やかに振動してライダーに知らせます。発光ダイオードモジュールが点滅して進行方向の合図を表示します。事故発生時には自動的に緊急通報が行われ、軽くタップするだけで事前設定したメッセージを送信できます。シェルは軽量なアクリロニトリル・ブタジエン・スチレン製で、低反発フォームの内装と、しっかりとフィットさせるダイヤルを備えています。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 銅賞

Guardian 自転車用ヘルメットは、創造性、独創性、鋭い洞察力で際立つ傑出したデザインに授与される、高い権威をもつ評価である A' Design Award 銅賞の受賞作品です。銅賞の受賞作品は、十分に巧みで印象的なほど創造的な工芸品であり、デザイナーの豊富な経験、想像力、機知を裏づけています。Guardian 自転車用ヘルメットは、高く評価され、称賛され、愛される品であり、顕著にプロフェッショナルで革新的であることが期待されます。この A' Design Award 銅賞を受賞したデザインは、芸術・科学・デザイン・技術のベストプラクティスを取り入れており、細部への配慮に優れています。Guardian 自転車用ヘルメットは、ニーズを見事に満たし、欲求に触れ、感情を魅了し、好奇心を引きつけます。

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties
Due to their inability to communicate effectively through speech and sound, deaf-mute individuals may face significant dangers when traveling, lacking essential information about road conditions. The deaf-mute safety helmet robustly protects cyclists with smart technology, sensors, and an advanced HUD system. It alerts them to traffic conditions through precise vibrations, sustaining alertness. The helmet significantly bolsters safety while cycling, lowering accident risks.
Dimensions & Packaging
250 (mm) x 200 (mm) x 200 (mm)
Tags
Inclusive Design, Deaf-Mute Safety, Smart Helmet, Assistive Technology, Urban Mobility, Vibration Feedback, Road Safety
Production Technology
The design was developed through user-centered research, focusing on the travel challenges faced by deaf-mute individuals. Prototyping involved computer-aided design modeling and iterative testing with simulated vibration and head-up display feedback. The helmet is envisioned using lightweight acrylonitrile butadiene styrene for the shell, memory foam for comfort, and integrates sensors, cameras, and light-emitting diode modules to ensure safety and usability.
Design Challenge
The hardest part was designing a system that replaces sound-based warnings with intuitive, non-auditory feedback. Socially, deaf-mute cyclists are often overlooked, with few products considering their needs. Technologically, integrating sensors, HUD, and vibration modules into a compact, wearable form was complex. Limited reference cases and data made user research crucial. Overcoming these challenges required empathy, iteration, and creative use of existing tech in new ways.
Research
Amid honks and sirens, sound protects most but leaves deaf-mute cyclists exposed. We conducted user-centered design research aiming to improve their travel safety. Through interviews, observations, and journey mapping, we gathered insights from deaf-mute individuals and cyclists. Results revealed key dangers like missed warnings and lack of emergency help. This led to features like vibration alerts and auto-alarm, promoting inclusive design and raising awareness in both society and mobility products.
Inspiration
This project was inspired by the overlooked risks faced by deaf-mute cyclists in sound-dominated traffic environments. Motivated by a desire to create inclusive safety solutions, I explored how smart technology could bridge the sensory gap. Grounded in user-centered research and assistive tech studies, the design aims to challenge auditory bias in urban mobility and offer a more equitable, responsive riding experience for all.
Project Duration
The project started in June 2023 in China and finished in October 2024 in China.
Operation Flow
The helmet is easy to use—just wear it and ride as usual. It gently vibrates to warn you if something gets too close from behind, and flashes lights to keep you alert. When it's time to turn, it shows directions and flashes the right signal. If an accident happens, it automatically calls for help. With just a light tap, you can also send a preset message. It fits snugly with a twist of the knob, making cycling safer and more reassuring.
Team Members
Menghan Li
Leijing Zhou
Xiaofei Gong
Xiaotong Guan
Xinmiao Shen
Ding Ding
Kaiyue Cai
Jinjie Li
Qianyi Wang
Keyin Chen
Zixiang Wang
Zihan Zhang

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