G42 Partners with UAE Team for Next-Gen Smart Cycling Helmet
G42 has created the world’s first cycling helmet designed using generative artificial intelligence, marking a breakthrough in sports technology. This trailblazing innovation has drawn attention at the prestigious Tour de France, which runs from July 5 to July 27, as it naturally combines advanced technology with elite sports performance.
The AI-powered helmet stands as the most important milestone for G42 Abu Dhabi through collaboration with Italian manufacturer MET Helmets. G42 UAE’s innovative project explores real-life applications of artificial intelligence in sports to boost performance and drive innovation. G42’s latest development shows how generative AI technology can create new designs and solutions by learning from existing data[-5]. This helmet not only expresses G42’s technological capabilities but also marks a new era that changes how manufacturers develop professional cycling equipment.
G42 unveils AI-powered helmet at Tour de France
Image Source: Fast Company Middle East
UAE Team Emirates-XRG unveiled their groundbreaking AI-powered helmet at the Tour de France on July 8, 2025. This milestone event marked a new chapter in professional cycling. G42, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and Italian manufacturer MET worked together to create this helmet, which became the first real-life application of generative AI technology in competitive cycling gear.
The helmet features a unique design that catches everyone’s attention. G42 states that they created the distinctive pattern “using advanced AI tools to interpret movement through airflow and negative space, blending data, performance, and creativity”. This technical innovation captures riders’ movements as they race through mountains, coastlines, and cities.
G42’s Chief AI Officer Andrew Jackson spoke about the significance of this launch. “Partnering with a world-class team like UAE Team Emirates-XRG allows us to showcase the power of AI, not just in performance, but in creativity”. The partnership creates a perfect platform to understand how AI can work in competitive environments.
The helmet’s capabilities extend beyond basic protection. It analyzes up-to-the-minute data including:
- The rider’s movement and surrounding environment
- Airflow patterns during racing
- Geographic location, speed, and effort metrics
G42’s Chief Marketing Officer Faheem Ahamed explained that the project helps fans connect with the sport through technology while improving performance.
The partnership has grown stronger. UAE Team Emirates-XRG’s CEO and Team Principal Mauro Gianetti confirmed G42 as the team’s official AI partner. Both organizations are learning about AI’s broader uses in cycling, from performance analysis to race strategy and training improvements.
The AI-integrated helmet’s presence throughout the 21-day cycling event, ending July 27, shows how sports equipment development and technology blend at competition’s highest levels.
Generative AI transforms helmet design and performance
Image Source: Khaleej Times
G42’s first generative AI-designed cycling helmet means much more than just a stylish breakthrough. Their AI tools have completely changed how companies imagine and make performance gear. The helmet’s unique design shows how technology can blend movement through airflow and negative space, while skillfully combining information, performance metrics, and creative elements.
This helmet isn’t just eye-catching. G42 and MET Helmets worked together to show how artificial intelligence can improve many aspects of equipment design. Their AI system looked at complex performance factors to create a helmet that makes several critical improvements:
- Better aerodynamics with shapes engineered to cut air resistance
- Safer design based on analytical insights
- More comfort through AI-guided ergonomic changes
- Better performance based on real-life cycling conditions
The AI system carefully analyzed and shaped the helmet to cut air resistance. Riders can now maintain higher speeds without working as hard. G42’s success proves that generative AI can create physical products that improve performance, going well beyond standard digital uses.
“This is not just any helmet,” said Andrew Jackson, G42 Group Chief AI Officer. “It is the first in the world to use generative AI technology… a type of technology that can create new designs, ideas, and solutions by itself after learning from data”. Jackson also mentioned that working with UAE Team Emirates-XRG gives them a chance to show AI’s potential in both performance and creative design.
The helmet proves that G42 Abu Dhabi has successfully taken AI beyond basic computing tasks to create products that look better and work better. The company’s technical team pointed out that the design reflects actual movement patterns, terrain changes, and airflow dynamics from high-level competition.
This project breaks new ground because G42 UAE has combined human athletic expertise with machine learning to create equipment that meets professional cycling’s specific needs.
Helmetverse invites fans to co-create future gear
Image Source: UAE Team Emirates
G42 has launched a state-of-the-art helmet and created “Helmetverse” – a groundbreaking global design challenge that lets cycling enthusiasts shape their sport’s future. Helmetverse.ai, the digital platform, allows fans worldwide to design custom cycling helmets with innovative AI technology.
Creating designs is simple. Users can generate unique helmet patterns in seconds through text prompts without any design experience. The creative platform offers:
- Submissions remain open until September 15, 2025
- Community members can view, share, and vote on all designs
- The ten most-voted entries advance to expert review
- A judging panel from G42, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and MET Helmets selects the winner
The winning design will be manufactured and UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders will wear it during the 2026 UAE Tour. This marks the first time a fan’s AI-created design appears in a UCI WorldTour race.
“Helmetverse gives cycling fans a new way to get involved with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, the world’s best cycling team,” stated Faheem Ahamed, G42 Group Chief Marketing Officer. “It puts creativity at the forefront of innovation, bringing more people closer to the sport, with the chance to see their creation on the WorldTour stage.”
G42 Abu Dhabi shows how AI technology connects professional athletes with their supporters. The platform creates a fundamental change in sports marketing that turns passive spectators into active co-creators.
“Cycling is a unique sport because it is not only about competition and racing – both professional cyclists and casual riders can share the same roads and enjoy the ride together,” said Mauro Gianetti, UAE Team Emirates-XRG Team Principal and CEO. He described Helmetverse as “an open, inclusive idea that brings fresh energy to the sport and reflects our ambition to lead both on and off the road.”
The project demonstrates G42 UAE’s steadfast dedication as the team’s official AI partner. Their support extends beyond equipment design to applications in training, race strategy, and fan engagement.
G42’s groundbreaking AI-powered cycling helmet proves how artificial intelligence can change professional sports equipment. This remarkable state-of-the-art product shows AI’s ground application beyond digital realms. It creates tangible products that boost athletic performance while you retain control of safety and comfort.
G42, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and MET Helmets joined forces to showcase shared innovation. Their helmet protects cyclists and analyzes movement, airflow patterns, and performance metrics during races. Riders then benefit from optimized aerodynamics, improved safety features, and analytical design decisions.
The Helmetverse platform brings a transformation in how fans participate in professional cycling. Cycling enthusiasts now have the chance to design custom helmets with AI technology instead of being passive spectators. The winning design will appear during the 2026 UAE Tour—a first in UCI WorldTour history.
Without doubt, this project marks a new era where AI changes both equipment development and fan participation in professional cycling. The technology connects athletes with supporters and expands what’s possible in sports innovation.
G42’s achievement creates more than an advanced helmet. They’ve built a new 5-year old model where data, performance, and creativity join together. As this technology grows, AI will continue to change sports equipment design, athletic training, race strategy, and fan engagement in any discipline. The cycling world has taken its first pedal stroke into an AI-boosted future. The road ahead looks promising.
