X-Helm, Generative Design

X-Helm was initiated as an exploration into reimagining a time-honored component: the helm. In the world of racing yachts, achieving the perfect balance between strength and weight is critical. Leveraging the power of generative design, where algorithms are used to engineer structures that maximise strength while minimising material use, we set out to see how this emerging technology could reshape a traditionally crafted product. With X-Helm, our goal was to push boundaries and uncover the performance and design advantages that such innovation could unlock.

About the Project

Client

X-Helm

Services

Product Design | Design Research | Design For Manufacture

Yacht Helm

Challenge

The core objective of the X-Helm project was to harness emerging technologies to create an optimised, high-performance structure while also delivering a bold and distinctive design. We aimed to break away from conventional approaches by leveraging generative design to develop forms that not only meet the mechanical demands of competitive sailing but also embody a striking aesthetic.

A key part of the challenge lay in translating these digitally generated forms into physical products. This meant exploring advanced manufacturing techniques, such as additive manufacturing and hybrid fabrication methods, that could faithfully reproduce the complex geometries generated by the design algorithms. The process involved balancing innovation with practicality, ensuring the final outcome was not only visually compelling and structurally sound, but also feasible to produce within real-world constraints.

Outcome

The result of the X-Helm project is a visually striking and performance-driven reinterpretation of the traditional yacht steering wheel. By embracing a generative design process and utilising additive manufacturing, we were able to engineer an optimised structure that achieves significant material efficiency without compromising strength.

Inspired by natural algorithms and load paths found in biological systems, the final design delivers a 40% reduction in weight while maintaining equivalent structural integrity. This approach not only enhances handling and responsiveness on the water, but also introduces a uniquely organic aesthetic that sets X-Helm apart from conventional designs.

Ultimately, X-Helm demonstrates how emerging technologies can unlock new levels of performance, functionality, and design expression, even in the most established of components.