ruroc pioneers helmets for extreme performance with dassault systèmes

Renowned for their extreme performance and cutting-edge aesthetics, Ruroc creates helmets that are not only at the forefront of head protection but also in styling and features. Whether navigating the road or conquering snow-covered slopes, they equip riders with unparalleled safety and flair. As the Gloucestershire-based company gears up to unveil its new generation of helmets for motorsports, designboom speaks with Tom Savage, Head of Design and Engineering at Ruroc, to delve into their design process, athlete feedback, and the transformative impact of Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud.

‘We want to see Ruroc recognised for the best and safest head protection gear. Whether that is motorcycling, skiing, swowboarding and more, we want to be the go-to head protection brand. We see Dassault Systèmes as a partner to help us reach this goal,’ states Tom Savage, Head of Design and Engineering at Ruroc, in an interview with designboom.

Ruroc’s helmets are renowned for their extreme performance and cutting-edge aesthetics
all images courtesy of Ruroc

Established in 2008 following a severe snowboarding accident by one of its founders, Ruroc has been dedicated to revolutionizing protection for skiers and snowboarders. The Ruroc RG1 was the world’s first full-face ski and snowboard helmet, quickly becoming a rider favorite and timeless classic thanks to its comfortable, protective, and stylishly finished lightweight polycarbonate shell. This success paved the way to diversification into motorsports in 2019 with the launch of the Atlas, which also received rave reviews from riders worldwide.

‘The RG1 answered a need for more protection but was even more successful due to its aggressive design. It integrated a lot of new patents like our RAID system, which uses rapid air intake to prevent fog inside the goggles. After venturing into the moto world in 2016, the Atlas rapidly took off and has overtaken our demand for snowsports. There’s four iterations so far, but we are now looking to launch our follow-up to the Atlas range with EOX,’ explains Tom.

the brand’s designers and engineers transitioned on to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform when creating the EOX

Debuting at the end of April 2024, the Ruroc EOX heralds a new platform for road-going helmets. Available in eight distinct designs, the helmet packs next-gen impact protection technologies. Its quad-matrix shell combines carbon fiber with Kevlar, nylon, and fiberglass to be strong as well as lightweight. This is all sculpted in a form optimized for aerodynamic performance. Users benefit from a visor with best-in-class vision, supported by six optimized vents to channel airflow. Staying true to Ruroc’s ethos, the helmet introduces the all-new Shockwave Mesh, enabling seamless communication with fellow riders within a mile radius.

‘We are launching EOX as a road-going helmet. There are quite a few new features to be revealed, but also exciting new garment concepts to complement. This was all quite unique in terms of developments,’ adds the Head of Design and Engineering.

the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables collaboration within a unified environment

‘We wanted to move to a new CAD system to align with our rotation of products. We started with Dassault Systèmes in 2022,’ clarifies Tom. ‘Our new product, the EOX, was developed completely on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud.’

Despite being a modest team based in Gloucestershire, Ruroc collaborates with subcontractors to design, develop, and manufacture their products. The cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE platform enables collaborators as well as stakeholders from diverse locations to contribute, review, and iterate the design and manufacturing process within a unified environment. The Head of Design and Engineering emphasizes the platform’s collective power, stating, ‘It was invaluable to create collaboratively.’

stakeholder and user feedback can influence any stage of the development process

Transitioning to a new CAD system and design process at large can be daunting, but three key factors eased Ruroc’s transition. Firstly, the versatility of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform accommodates for various applications, enabling the transfer of skills from other software like SOLIDWORKS. Secondly, personalized onboarding ensures swift mastery of the platform, guided by experts at Dassault Systèmes. Lastly, the platform’s supportive community fosters open dialogue and knowledge sharing among like-minded creatives, ensuring assistance is always within reach.

personalized onboarding ensured Ruroc’s team were able to master the platform swiftly

Tom and his team at Ruroc are continuing to enhance their use of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to improve their design processes. With a strong and successful foundation, the brand wants to continuously innovate, grow, and diversify its portfolio, pushing boundaries with innovative aesthetics, integrated technologies, and advanced features. Central to this success is Ruroc’s commitment to listen to riders and swiftly adapt to their needs. While this feedback process has yet to be fully integrated into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, its capabilities continue to evolve.

‘We arrived on the market as a very visual brand, which gained us lots of attention, but safety is paramount for our crash helmets. We lean into user loyalty to receive feedback before we start the design process. We speak with influencers and athletes to understand performance better. My goal is to understand all this feedback in a conceptual space. Then we look to explore design possibilities directly in the 3DEXPERIENCE platform,’ explains Jason Esson, Senior Industrial Designer at Ruroc.

Ruroc aims to harness the power of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to innovate styling, safety, technologies and more

‘We have only just started using the platform but know the capabilities can push Ruroc’s designs further, from conceptualizing products to analysis studies and manufacturing processes,’ promises Tom Savage, Head of Design and Engineering at Ruroc.

Ruroc’s reputation for excelling in extreme environments stems from its seamless fusion of bold styling, top-tier safety performance, and cutting-edge technologies. By harnessing the power of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud, the brand pushes the boundaries of innovation even further. The Ruroc EOX is just the beginning, as Tom Savage and his team are poised to unveil a new era of capabilities that continue to carve new trails in the market of helmet design.

following rave reviews from riders worldwide, the Atlas has seen four iterations since 2019

brand: Ruroc

products: RG1, Atlas, and EOX

software developer: Dassault Systèmes

software: 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud