New product : France, Hynov has developed an airbag for ski cross

The French design office , specializing in the development of active protection systems , has developed , in conjunction with the French Federation , a specific airbag teams France ski cross . Operational, it is pending for Sochi . It could be declined for the general public and other disciplines ...

Founded in 2002 in Dijon by Gerard Thevenot , Helite has very quickly established itself in the airbag protection design for bikers and for riders . London Olympics , twelve teams were also equipped with jackets bearing the technology developed by the company. In 2008, Helite created Hynov , a consulting and engineering based in Cran- Gevrier . This is where the now developed protection systems Helite .

" The idea is for us to work on other possible applications such as aerospace , railway, protection drones and skiing ... " said Pierre- François Tissot, sales manager Hynov .

100 readings per second

During two years, Valentin Honoré , engineer, working on a project initiated by the French Ski Federation based in Annecy project. Objective: To develop a specific airbag team France ski cross .

"There are regular accidents in this discipline. Everyone has in mind the death of Canadian Nick Zoricic in 2012 on a stage of the World Cup . That's why the Federation was looking for a suitable protection system , "said Valentin Honore.

Months of hard work later, the airbag is in focus, and has already been tested by skiers . "This is a lightweight vest, which must be integrated in their combination and bib designed with materials at the tip (carbon, kevlar ... ) and with a housing and sensors that measure the position of the runners in space at 100 readings per second ... " the " normal " is defined outside which the protective vest inflates to protect the chest , neck and spine in the fall. He then deflated for reuse the next event . system has proved its worth. research agency now expects a final approval for the Blues can wear the Sochi Olympics in February. Prior to equip other countries. and the decline consumer version but also systems adapted to other disciplines : Alpine skiing, snowboard cross .

About Hynov and Helite:

Activity: design of active safety systems
Established: 2008
Implantation : Cran- Gevrier , Fontaine- lès- Dijon Helite .
Turnover: € 2 million provided in 2013 and Hynov Helite
Employees: 5 people (15 with Helite )
Capital allocation : 80% Gérard Thevenot , 10% Day Honoré , 10% Alexander Quarrey

French source ledauphine.com