Fraunhofer developing bike helmets (and other products) that stink when damaged
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted June 3rd 2010 8:27PM
posted June 3rd 2010 8:27PM
We're glad you're using a bike helmet (and we're glad you've opted for that really scary one we first saw in 2007). You do realize, however, that the more blows to the head you receive, the less effective the headgear is, right? Researchers at Germany's Fraunhofer Institute have developed a manufacturing process that injects microcapsules containing malodorous oils into the helmet itself, causing it to stink when damaged -- alerting you that it's time to replace it (and making it difficult to try and make do with a less than safe one, at that). Indeed, the process, which a thick foil made of polypropylene to house the microcapsules, extends to other products as well, including: pressure hoses, water, and gas pipes (in which case the odor can be detected by automated "smell sensors"). As for the lids, they're still trying to decide exactly which scent to use, but we have a suggestion -- smelling salts. Seems logical, right?
tight
@MarcinK
Just don't drop it...
@MarcinK
Not too tight; you'll break it. :/
@HotDog
...like it's hot.
@MarcinK
Why didnt i think of that? The guy is probably going to be the next millionaire....
@MarcinK
It sounds useful, but since I ride a lot, it sounds awful. And the last thing I want while on a 20+ miler is to smell something awful.
@MarcinK
Person 1: Did you fart?
Person 2: No, I just fell off my bike.
@MarcinK
Great. Can we have something like this for pants as well, so we'll know when to change to a fresh pair? No wait...
@MarcinK
Great. Can we have something like this for pants as well, so we'll know when to change to a fresh pair? No wait...
@MarcinK
This stuff is for real! Brittney Spears invented it.
@bstump
Yeah, this is a bad idea. A helmet that, if it's needed, prompts the wearer to toss it on the side of the road and ride home without a helmet.
A marred helmet is safer than no helmet.
How is this related to gadgets.....
@MarcinK have you ever seen what engadget covered back in the day? this totally fits the site if you look at it over the long term....
@MarcinK Engadget might not just be about gadgets...maybe its also about technology...
@MarcinK
it's more interesting to me than "war gadget."
@MarcinK
soon you will have it in gadgets,
Like Cars, why check vin numbers to see if it has been in a car accident when you can smell it
@MarcinK They posted this as news because whenever the helmet is damaged it emits a smell... of the EVO 4! *rimshot*
This is totally not "alt" news?
@HotDog came here to post that. this is chemical technology. not even theoretical physics or something that would more normally fit engadget's posts.
@ravissimo
notice all the past bike news in the top right corner?
I admire your creativity, but wouldn't something that changes color or displays a message be a little more practical?
To me it seems like a strong odor would communicate that something is wrong with the device more than anything. A color change probably isn't immediately identifiable as an issue with the helmet (hey, my little brother probably just colored it or spilled something on it), and a display with sensors would be expensive and prone to breaking (and what good is a broken safety feature). Not only does this concept communicate something is wrong with the object effectively, but it also acts as a deterrent to continue using it and pick up a new one that doesn't smell like skunk.
I think it's quite practical.
@01
Unless your helmet is white, you already have the color change feature.
@01 You can't see internal crackings. It's like this for all types of helmets. If it works it's pretty smart. Especially for sports where you fall quite a bit (eg. skiing) and don't know if the helmet damaged. Reminds me also of seatbelts that should be changed after accidents....if the car isn't totalled.
Wow I would hate this but I've got to say... that makes perfect fucking sense.
@Auouywonz
The idea reeks, to be honest.
@Art
I'd like to see some odor ideas.
Of course, the helmet is going to be 'designed' to start stinking after 8-10 months of use. You'll smell it and start wondering if you had damaged it at some time unknowingly. You get the elated feeling that you survived a 'close call' and you are off to buy another one of these. [/conspiracy theory]
@whatsinaname True
@whatsinaname Helmets should be replaced every 3-4 years due to material degradation anyway, so that would actually be a great feature. Many people continue to use helmets that are past their date.
Its like a Scratch And Sniff sticker that need to be scratched harder than normal. Is it that hard?
@Einlander
Yes.
As long as the smell is subtle enough to indicate the helmet is damaged without making it unusable. Even a slightly damaged helmet is surely better than nothing.
@Wolfticket Yeah, this will just deter people from wearing helmets at all. Great idea. >.>
@Wolfticket If you're wearing a helmet to begin with, you might be more encouraged to go out and purchase a new one. I wear helmets regularly and wouldn't even toy with the idea of going out without one. A subtly stinky helmet might not encourage users to get a new helmet quite so quickly (how many of us have made do with a broken or inconsistently working product because we 'got used to it'?). At least in my case, a strongly smelling helmet would be an unmistakable sign of damage, and I would promptly replace it (and there would be strong enough repercussions for me to not continue using an ineffective helmet.
This could also act as an indicator for general helmet replacement - bicycle helmets should be replaced every 3-4 years due to material degradation.
If I'm in a biking accident with that helmet, will I actually die of odor inhalation rather than head injury?
@GaryZ
well, you'd probably already be dead from the car's impact, so theres really no worry.
unless you live, and the smell affects the performance of the EMTs.
@elduderino
that's a dangerous attitude. i might have thought it was funny, except a bike helmet saved my life. no joke. it's the head injury that will kill you, and much more easily than you imagine.
Vader's helmet has been smelling kind of funny lately. Or maybe that was his rotting flesh underneath.
This is a nice idea. But maybe not have it stink right away, but after several hours have passed. That way you do not stink out the injored person or anyone helping them.
Giving it a delay'd stink will help people to realize that after the accident is all over, it is time to replace the helmet.
@tavisjohn
Delayed Stink Technology. Or DST. Brilliant.
Too bad nobody wants to help you when you are stinky :/
I think it's really smart people should replace their helmets after a fall and now they will want to.
get rid of the alt site, or use it properly.
Tons of the stuff on the alt site should be here, and vice versa.
Helmets, we don't need no stinking helmets!
Dude ... did you just sh!t your draws during that faceplant?
Mine stinks anyway, from sweating in it, getting dirty mud inside of it, riding through stinky creeks in the woods and riding in 80% humidity on 85 degree days.
I don't need a helmet that gets stinky.
You are only supposed to keep or wear a helmet about a year or so...after that the foam in the shell starts to break down.
@mtbwrx 3 years, according to Giro.
thats really gross, but also really smart.
Interesting idea. Not marketable, though.