DEM provided this link in FFAF, but it seemed the video was interesting enough to share it a bit more prominently. Two Swedish designers have come up with an “invisible bike helmet”, which is basically an airbag collar that deploys around your head in a fall. Check out the end of the video above to see it in action!
Latest from Decaturish
smalltowngal
Trudy
J_T
GM
J_T
J_T
Jessamine13
Jessamine13
Lee Coursey
J_T
Parker Cross
Scott
Parker Cross
BenJT
Michael
Hah, probably not the most practical device for folks riding a bike in Atlanta during the spring-summer months…
Worth noting that it costs about $600. As a frequent biker, I think I’ll stick to my current helmet.
And it seems like the consequences of the helmet not deploying would be grievous.
Me too, but as we both know, the “high end” versions of current “visible helmets can easily exceed $200, and all they accomplish is a very slight aerodynamic advantage over a $50 run-of-the-mill Bell helmet. So there is plenty of space in the cycling world for expensive gadgets of marginal utility.
Did anyone else notice you could see the helmet?
hey, just like air bags, the price will come down. i think it’s a marvelous idea.
Yes, I agree, of course it’s expensive at this point but like other new technologies it starts out too expensive for most and then it gets cheaper. The size is a concern like CL mentions – it wouldn’t be a bid deal in the cooler months when you already have more clothing on, but in the warmer months I wouldn’t want that ring around my neck! It might be good to point out that the inventors are Swedish and this would be in the beginning at least, marketed to folks in much cooler/colder climates than Atlanta.
All in all an amazing achievement – wondering though what triggers it to expand out like an airbag. It seems like there could be a lot of false expansions or misfires which would really piss me off. Also, I wonder how difficult it is to put it back once it expands out to form the helmet – especially if it is prone to misfire.
According to the website, once it fires, it’s done. Although you can return it to the mfr and receive a discount on a new one.
Current helmets are also one-and-done deals. Once you fall and the helmet hits the ground, even if there is no visible damage to the helmet, the manufacturers recommend replacing it.
Ditto for infant/child carseats after an accident. The idea is that hidden stress and trauma on the protective plastic/foam/whatever may have occurred and weakened the ability of a helmet or carseat to protect in the future. But helmets and carseats are passive devices and cannot over-deploy. The scarf is a problem if it overdeploys.
The Hövding invisible helmet can be purchased online. The conversion from Swedish Krona (SEK) to USD put the cost of a “small” at about $600 plus shipping. Love ideas for other uses including skiing and medical (epilepsy, elderly prone to falls). Someday, maybe someday, the develop costs will be covered and the price will come down.
Check out the company site here.
http://www.hovding.com/
Hmm. Downhill (vs. cross-country) skiing seems like a great use since keeping warm is often an issue and the sport is in a transition period with some skiers wearing helmets and other aren’t. You sit on your fanny, exposed to the cold air and wind, going up the hill in a chair lift and the downhill trip is pretty exposed and cold too. But an insulated helmet is probably still warmer than a Hovding scarf.
I can’t be the only one who immediately thought the “invisible helmet” was just aquanet.
This will be huge in Europe, where everyone bikes and no one wears a helmet. As for the US, perhaps in cities with big bike cultures it will take off. I think it’s remarkable.
i ride every day and i would NEVER trust that thing
“sorry, helmet app busy. try back again later. YES NO CANCEL?”
wle