MARKET HIGHLIGHTS

In 2022, the worldwide smart helmet market was estimated at USD 585.1 million Smart helmets market It is anticipated to grow from USD 672.2 million in 2023 to an impressive USD 1,560.3 million by 2028, a CAGR of 18.05% over the entire time frame. Smart helmets are pivotal for individuals' safety, whether they're on the road or at construction sites. They boast state-of-the-art features like GPS, map navigation, health tracking—including skin temperature checks—data collection via sensors, air quality monitoring, live streaming cameras, and compatibility with other tech devices. The continuous unveiling of innovative products by market frontrunners is propelling this sector forward. For example: • In May 2022, Sena Technologies, Inc. launched the OutForce for motorcyclists. This smart helmet boasts Bluetooth 5.0, a 4-way Bluetooth Intercom, smartphone app integration, as well as inbuilt speakers and microphones. Launches like these foster innovation and stimulate market expansion.

The robust growth of the smart helmet market is attributable to the rising safety and security concerns combined with advancements in smart wearable tech. These helmets come equipped with a myriad of electronic components and sensors, granting users access to instant data, which bolsters overall safety. Additionally, as global governments tighten road safety norms, the demand for such products is anticipated to surge. These norms underscore the importance of safety gear like smart helmets, creating a favorable atmosphere for the market's expansion.

COVID-19 IMPACT: Increased Need for Thermal Screening in Helmets Due to Pandemic

The pandemic has posed considerable challenges to helmet producers, especially those with employees who cannot work from home. A report by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in March 2020 stated that around 80% of manufacturers foresee direct economic impacts on their businesses due to the virus. The disruptions in productivity caused by COVID-19 carry significant operational, societal, and financial repercussions. As a result, businesses are reassessing their crisis management plans, safety protocols at workplaces, and adopting innovative work methodologies.

To combat the spread of the virus, global health and law enforcement agencies have begun using helmets equipped with rapid temperature measuring capabilities. Since swift thermal screening is a crucial tool for detecting potential COVID-19 cases, it plays a vital role in ensuring safe public movement. For instance, Dubai Police are employing these helmets to monitor individuals in crowded locales, including quarantine zones. The pandemic has indeed brought about economic challenges for helmet makers worldwide. However, as circumstances evolve, market dynamics will shift favorably, leading to an increased demand.

LATEST TRENDS:Innovative Features in Smart Helmets

Smart helmets, equipped with sensors and other integrated tools, gather data and offer assistance to wearers. Apart from motorcyclists and cyclists, these helmets benefit construction workers and firefighters. They come with video cameras and GPS navigation systems for user aid. Some smart helmets offer internet connectivity, enabling functions like traffic monitoring, GPS navigation, built-in earphones, and heart rate tracking. They have a robust interior layer for added protection during mishaps and can send emergency alerts to loved ones with a single push of a button. These advancements are predicted to drive the market in the upcoming years.

DRIVING FACTORS

Government Regulations Bolstering Safety Propelling the Market

Motorcycles and bicycles inherently carry a higher risk compared to cars during accidents. Helmets serve the purpose of significantly reducing the chances of critical head and brain injuries upon impact. Various regions and countries have seen varying advancements in their legislation controlling road safety during the past few years. Motorcycle riders can minimize their risk of dying by about 40% and of incurring major injuries by as much as 70% by wearing a helmet. The efficacy of these helmets in safeguarding against injuries also relates to their quality. Ensuring helmets meet specified safety standards is crucial. Consequently, stricter safety policies promoting helmet usage also present opportunities for manufacturers to innovate.

As per the Global Road Safety Report 2018, traffic-related fatalities surged to 1.35 million in 2016. Road accidents remain the predominant cause of death among youngsters between 5–29 years. This fact underscores the urgency to revise national helmet policies. In a 2017 survey, 33% of road fatalities in India involved motorcyclists without helmets. Per the Motor Vehicle Act of 1989's Section 129, wearing helmets is compulsory. Any violation attracts a penalty, including a three-month driving license suspension under the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019's Section 194D.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Production Costs Curtailing Market Expansion

The premium pricing of advanced helmets, which include features like night vision, head-up displays, communication units, and cameras, is one of the primary factors hampering market growth. Compatibility issues between hardware and software also deter manufacturers and software developers from introducing efficient products.

SEGMENTATION

Based on Type: The market categorizes into full-face, open-face, and half-head helmets. The full-face helmet holds the lion's share and is projected to maintain its lead. It offers protection from environmental elements, ensuring clear vision. The open-face segment, on the other hand, is projected to witness the fastest growth owing to its preferred usage among riders and cyclists for its enhanced visibility and convenience.

By Technology Analysis: In 2022, the Integrated Communication System (ICS) segment held the dominant market position. This system, incorporated into smart helmets, allows users to manage most features through voice commands. It enables hands-free operations like direction finding, call making, and more, when synced with a phone.

Another notable segment, set to see rapid growth, is the contactless temperature measurement. Helmets with thermal imaging solutions offer a myriad of benefits, especially for authorities to detect elevated body temperatures, helping in pandemic control efforts. For instance, Hamad International Airport (HIA) in Qatar, in May 2020, adopted helmets equipped with thermal screening and robotics to enhance health measures for post-pandemic travel.

End-user Breakdown

Healthcare Sector to Ramp Up Smart Helmet Usage Amid Pandemic

Segmenting by end-user, the market comprises consumer, industrial, healthcare, and construction sectors. In 2022, the consumer domain led the market, a trend likely to persist over the forecasted timeline. This dominance is attributable to mounting road fatalities, heightened safety awareness, and a surge in two-wheeler sales.

During the forecast period, the healthcare sector is poised to embrace smart helmets robustly. In the fight against COVID-19, many governments and organizations are turning to advanced tech, with countries like China, the UAE, and Italy implementing rapid fever-detecting helmets. Pioneering the next-gen thermal imaging devices, leading industry players are innovating with smart helmets to efficiently screen for COVID-19. A notable instance is DP World from Dubai, which rolled out the KC N901, a state-of-the-art helmet designed for touch-free COVID-19 infection detection.

Regional Overview

North America: The uptake of helmets has soared in recent years. Government bodies and NGOs are pushing educational drives to highlight helmet usage. As the motorcycle scene evolves, manufacturers are launching cost-effective bikes, paving the way for helmet makers to diversify their offerings and cater to evolving consumer needs. Anticipate a market boost from intensified R&D efforts focused on road safety in the upcoming years.

Asia Pacific: This region stands tall in the motorcycle sector, accounting for a significant portion of bicycle and motorcycle sales. Factors like a spike in two-wheeler sales, swift urban development in nations like India and China, and a burgeoning manufacturing sector will further solidify Asia Pacific's market prominence. India, in particular, with its vast two-wheeler adoption, significantly impacts the market. Enhanced consumer expenditure on driving safety gear and the vast motorcycle fleet are amplifying the market pulse. Additionally, the escalating adoption of sophisticated wearable tech among construction personnel and firefighters augments the market's growth trajectory. Expect these trends to resonate in the Middle East & Africa as well.

Europe: The European market is set to experience modest growth during the projection period. This rise is rooted in the region's heightened safety consciousness and the increasing inclination towards cutting-edge wearable technology.

Latin America & the Middle East: In select emerging nations within these regions, the affordability of motorcycles combined with strict helmet mandates catalyze market expansion. Driving forces encompass gaps in transportation, surging traffic snarls in urban centers, escalating transportation expenses across other modalities, and easy motorcycle financing avenues.

INDUSTRY LEADERS

Prominent Players to Amplify Product Lines and Forge Partnerships for Addressing Dynamic Consumer Needs

To stay at the forefront, companies consistently endeavor to launch pioneering products and broaden their product assortments, with an emphasis on refining helmet efficacy and elevating user experience. For instance:

• In November 2021, tech giant Huawei rolled out the Helmetphone BH51M Neo in China. Tailored for activities like biking, skateboarding, roller skating, and e-bicycles, this state-of-the-art helmet comes equipped with features like voice commands and Bluetooth connectivity, running on Huawei's HarmonyOS.

Such innovative product introductions significantly invigorate the market, fulfilling evolving consumer demands and preferences.

ROSTER OF PROMINENT MARKET PLAYERS:

• Sena Technologies, Inc. (U.S.)


• DAQRI (U.S.)


• Forcite Helmet Systems Pty Ltd. (Australia)


• TVS Motor Company (India)


• Hedkayse (U.K.)


• MapmyIndia (India)


• Livall (China)


• Jarvish Inc. (Taiwan)


• Torc Helmets (U.S.)


• Lumos Helmet (China)


• Nexsys. Co., Ltd. (Korea)


• 360fly, Inc. (U.S.)

SIGNIFICANT SECTOR HIGHLIGHTS:

• In March 2023, TVS, headquartered in Hosur, unveiled the S20X and Smart Xonnect S10X helmet communication tools at the MotoSoul2023 event in Goa. Tailored to be affixed to helmets, these devices boast a myriad of functionalities.


• Also in March 2023, Hedkayse announced its intent to weave twICEme's intelligent technology into its adaptable helmets. Hedkayse helmets stand out due to their enduring resilience and capacity to bear multiple collisions, earning them the moniker "Helmet for life". The Enkays liner in these helmets is meticulously crafted to match the protective standards of traditional cycling helmets. The embedded twICEme feature allows emergency personnel to pull up vital safety data by merely tapping the helmet's twICEme icon with a mobile device.


• MapmyIndia, a prominent digital mapping and geospatial firm from India, launched its Mappls Devices for automobiles and motorbikes in February 2023. These innovative tools are curated to amplify and secure the driving experience, encompassing components like vehicle GPS trackers, onboard entertainment systems, dashboard cameras, and smart helmet modules.


• Come July 2022, Oakley is set to roll out helmets equipped with advanced tech that lets users archive personal safety details. Teaming up with twICEme, a safety tech frontrunner from Sweden, these helmets will feature twICEme's innovative solutions, granting users the ability to store essential data, from emergency contacts to medical details, via the twICEme application. During crises, this repository can be instantly accessed by scanning the helmet's distinct twICEme emblem with a smartphone.


• In May 2022, SENA heralded the European debut of its Impulse and Stryker intelligent helmets. Imbued with Sena’s hallmark Mesh communication mechanism, these helmets come fitted with microphones and speakers courtesy of the audio giant, Harman Kardon. These helmets are not short on features, offering assets like a magnetized Pogo charger, multilingual voice command compatibility, an integrated sunshade, rear LED lights, and sync capabilities with voice-driven digital aides, including Siri and Google.

REPORT OVERVIEW This report on the global smart helmet market delivers an all-encompassing view of the product through both qualitative and quantitative lenses. It furnishes a meticulous evaluation of market dimensions and projected growth across diverse sectors. The document delves deep into market forces, burgeoning trends, and the competitive arena. Major takeaways encompass the prevailing adoption patterns of intelligent helmets across varied segments, the latest shifts in the industry like mergers and buyouts, an integrated SWOT examination of central participants, a detailed Porter’s five forces study, and the strategic moves executed by market frontrunners.

REPORT FRAMEWORK & BREAKDOWN

COMMON INQUIRIES

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