G42 Unveils AI-Designed Cycling Helmet With MET Helmets
G42 has partnered with UAE Team Emirates-XRG and MET Helmets to introduce an AI-designed cycling helmet. The team will wear the new helmet during Stage 5 from Lannemezan to Pau.
At the same time, the collaboration marks the return of Helmetverse, an AI-powered design platform that lets cycling fans create custom helmet designs using simple text prompts.
The platform attracted nearly 20,000 designs from participants across 135 countries during its debut. This year, Helmetverse will reopen on July 13 and remain open until September 13.
The new helmet was created in collaboration with AI artist Gizem Akdag. Moreover, its design reflects the transition from city to signal and from data to light. It also captures the speed, energy, and movement of professional cycling.
Fans can design the next winning helmet
Meanwhile, Helmetverse allows users worldwide to generate AI-powered helmet designs, share their creations, explore community submissions, and vote for their favorites.
After voting concludes, the most popular entries will advance to a final judging panel featuring representatives from G42, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and MET Helmets.
The winning design will then be manufactured by MET Helmets. Furthermore, UAE Team Emirates-XRG will wear it during the UAE Tour in February 2027, giving one fan the chance to see their concept used in a UCI WorldTour race.
Leaders highlight innovation and fan engagement
Alex Brunori, G42 VP Brand Experience, said that, “At G42, we build the full stack of AI – from the data centers and compute to the models, to the applications that put intelligence to work across industries. Helmetverse takes that same capability and places it directly in people’s hands. It’s a reminder that the technology we deploy at national and industrial scale can also spark individual creativity, and that making AI accessible is as important to us as advancing it.”
Mauro Gianetti, Team Principal and CEO of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, noted that, “The reaction to Helmetverse last year showed how passionate cycling fans are about engaging with our sport in new ways. As a team, we are always looking to push boundaries, whether that’s through performance, innovation or fan engagement.
