What is the certimoov project?

What is certimoov ?

Project description

Certimoov is a test protocol drawn up by scientists to objectively test the protection capacity of equipment.
As of today, Certimoov starts with tests on motorbike and cycling helmets. A new method was created for this purpose to evaluate helmets under the most realistic conditions possible by taking into account new kinds of impact and advanced brain injury criteria. The result is shown on this website in the form of a point scale out of 5 for each helmet.

History of certimoov

A project started up by the MAIF Foundation

In 2014, the MAIF Foundation, in partnership with the University of Strasbourg, started up a project under the name of EuroNcasque. Bioengineers drew up the brain injury prediction model and set up a test bank. The MAIF Foundation’s goal was to finance a project for the public good, and so decided to present the project to Mutuelle des Motards to breathe life into the method and take it forwards. It became known as Certimoov.

A test method developed by
the University of Strasbourg

Bioengineers at the University of Strasbourg have been studying accidents suffered by users of 2-wheeled vehicles and the biomechanics of head trauma since 1990. The partnership with the MAIF Foundation was launched in 2014 and was the starting point for the design of a test bank and the impact analysis method tested by the bank together with the mechanical modelling of the brain.

Test campaigns carried out by
Mutuelle des Motards

Mutuelle des Motards has been working on the prevention of risks for 2- and 3-wheeled vehicles for 35 years, and quite naturally rose to the challenge to continue the project in partnership with the University of Strasbourg in 2018. More specifically, it currently finances the test campaigns and undertakes to notify manufacturers and users, in particular on this website !

Why is there a new test method in addition to the existing regulation?

To complete and reinforce current regulations

European regulations test helmets in straight-line impact, in other words perpendicular to the surface the impact takes place on. Furthermore, the criteria for accepting a helmet is based on the translation acceleration registered with a rigid headform which does not faithfully represent the human brain. Moreover,, the acceptance criterion for the regulation is either yes or no: either the helmet is accepted under the regulation or it isn’t.
Certimoov recreates more realistic impacts (oblique impacts) and integrates the new brain model to measure the effect of a collision on the brain. The Certimoov tests are, more realistic and they enable a precise estimation of the risk of brain injury and classify helmets according to the level of safety, by a points system from 0 to 5.

Advances in biotechnology

Certimoov uses advances to improve its test method. The test bank enables the reproduction of more realistic impacts (for example, in the angle and speed) and a new digital model of the head is used. This model makes it possible to calculate the mechanical response of the brain and enables bioengineers to assess the brain injury risk for each impact.

Encouraging the evolution
of thought

Certimoov’s goal is to inform users and also manufacturers and the authorities about the level of protection afforded by equipment. Thanks to these complete tests, users can employ the criteria of safety in their choice of helmet with clearer and more detailed results than those in the current regulations. Manufacturers can use Certimoov tests to improve the safety level of their helmets even further and can contact Certimoov if they wish to obtain more details about the test method and its results. They can also contact the University of Strasbourg if they wish to evaluate prototypes. The methodology can be included in the internal development of their product.

Detailed explanation
of points

In total 6 types of impact are tested: 3 perpendicular impacts and 3 oblique impacts. Each impact is repeated 3 times, requiring a total of 6 helmets to obtain a final mark. Each impact produces 6 curves which show linear and rotational acceleration versus time.

Example of curves produced by the frontal perpendicular impact test

Calculating the overall mark

The overall mark is the average of 6 different marks. You can see it on the “helmet cards”. It enables the classification of the helmets from the best to the least positive mark. Five stars are given to the helmet with the best results in the tests, while 0 points denotes the least safe helmet according to the Certimoov method.

These curves are then included in the mechanical modelling of the brain, which lets the bioengineers estimate the risk of injury for each impact and come up with a mark from 0 to 5.

Injury risk curve leading to the mark for each impact

Points to be taken into account

Points of impact tested

The points of impact tested are frontal, lateral and occipital. They represent different kinds of impact which could take place in traffic accidents.

Limitations on jet helmets

NB: Jet helmets might score more points than full-face helmets on this website. This is because Certimoov tests the impact of a collision on the brain and not on the face.

Certimoov :
the project

1. What is
Certimoov?

2. Why is there a new test method
in addition to the existing regulation?

3. Understanding
the points system

4. Points to be
taken into account

What is certimoov ?

Project description

History of certimoov

A project started up by the MAIF Foundation

A test method developed by
the University of Strasbourg

Test campaigns carried out by
Mutuelle des Motards

Why is there a new test method in addition to the existing regulation?

To complete and reinforce current regulations

Advances in biotechnology

Encouraging the evolution
of thought

Understanding the points system

Detailed explanation
of points

Calculating the overall mark

Points to be taken into account

Points of impact tested

Limitations on jet helmets

About us

Our method

Our tests for bicycles

Our tests for motorbikes

Certimoov : the project

1. What is Certimoov?

2. Why is there a new test method in addition to the existing regulation?

3. Understanding the points system

4. Points to be taken into account

What is certimoov ?

Project description

History of certimoov

A project started up by the MAIF Foundation

A test method developed by the University of Strasbourg

Test campaigns carried out by Mutuelle des Motards

Why is there a new test method in addition to the existing regulation?

To complete and reinforce current regulations

Advances in biotechnology

Encouraging the evolution of thought

Understanding the points system

Detailed explanation of points

Calculating the overall mark

Points to be taken into account

Points of impact tested

Limitations on jet helmets

About us

Our method

Our tests for bicycles

Our tests for motorbikes

Certimoov :
the project

1. What is
Certimoov?

2. Why is there a new test method
in addition to the existing regulation?

3. Understanding
the points system

4. Points to be
taken into account

A test method developed by
the University of Strasbourg

Test campaigns carried out by
Mutuelle des Motards

Encouraging the evolution
of thought

Detailed explanation
of points