POC and MIPS announce new collaboration
A new collaboration between Swedish safety brands POC and MIPS will see POC implement MIPS systems in many of its helmets.
POC will phase out its SPIN silicone pad technology system and replace it with MIPS solutions in the majority of its helmets in the future.
The collaboration will start with a new POCito Crane due to be released in late summer 2020.
The brands, which have worked together in the past, will also work together to develop new rotational impact solutions which will feature in a number of POC helmets to be released in 2021.
POC CEO Jonas Sjögren commented on the partnership: “Safety is at the very centre of POC and our approach has always been to consider everything to improve safety, even if that means doing something that has never been done before.
“This was the basis for our initial collaboration with MIPS in 2009, where we were the first ever to integrate a rotational impact protection system in snow sports and cycling helmets.”
Max Strandwitz, MIPS CEO, added: “MIPS is committed to protect any brain from injury through our helmet-based Brain Protection System and we have more than 20 years of research and testing to support our activities.
“We are very happy to collaborate with POC, not only as an acknowledged leader in safety and the manufacturer that brought MIPS to the market, but also as they have continued to push new thinking and innovations. Our combined efforts, maximising each other’s strengths, will ultimately lead to enhancements in safety for all.”
It hasn’t always been a plain-sailing partnership, however. In November 2017 MIPS was granted a preliminary injunction against POC in Germany following the launch of SPIN, something that halted the sale of POC helmets carrying MIPS. This was followed by a counter filing by POC. The two settled the legal dispute and agreed to work together last year.
The renewed partnership will give POC the opportunity to focus on new innovations around its Whole Helmet concept, built on holistic helmet safety, to create helmets able to protect a user before, during and after an accident.
“Even if safety is better understood that does not mean we can stand still,” continued Sjögren. “Our Whole Helmet concept illustrates that in today’s world a helmet can, and should, do significantly more than just manage impacts.
“With our renewed partnership with MIPS we know that rotational impact protection will be in good hands, our job will be to expand our curiosity, open mindedness and leave no stone unturned in search of new innovations and enhanced safety for all.”
