UAE Team Emirates-XRG riders wore innovative artificial intelligence-designed helmets during the fifth stage of the Tour de France toward Pau.
The special gear resulted from a collaboration between Abu Dhabi-based AI group G42, MET Helmets, and the Emirati cycling team.
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Helmetverse Platform Relaunch
The project coincides with the relaunch of Helmetverse, an AI-driven digital platform that lets cycling fans generate custom helmet designs using text prompts.
The platform previously generated nearly 20,000 designs across 135 countries and will reopen from July 13 until September 13 on helmetverse.
ai.
The current helmet model was created alongside AI artist Gizem Akdag.
The design visualizes the transition from city to signal and data to light, reflecting the energy and speed of professional cycling.
Public users can create, share, and vote on designs online.
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The highest-voted submissions will advance to a panel of judges from G42, UAE Team Emirates-XRG, and MET Helmets.
The winning design will be manufactured and worn by the team during the UAE Tour in February 2027.
Mauro Gianetti, team manager and CEO of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, noted that the previous edition's response showed fans' eagerness to participate in new ways.
The initiative aligns with the team's commitment to innovation and fan interaction.
"As team we try to always push boundaries, whether that is about performance, innovation or engagement of fans," Gianetti said.
G42 operates as the official AI partner of UAE Team Emirates-XRG, developing joint projects focused on performance and fan engagement.
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UAE Team Emirates-XRG has competed in the WorldTour since 2017 and has achieved four Tour de France victories with rider Tadej Pogacar.
