The Invisible Bike Helmet: An Airbag On The Go

[1monster]

http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/15/invisible-bike-helmet/?icid=maing-grid10%7Chtmlws-main-bb%7Cdl2%7Csec3_lnk2%26pLid%3D193576

video at the link.

?w=288

People die trying to look cool. Vanity is the sad reason why people don’t wear bike helmets. So two Swedish women set out to invent “the invisible bicycle helmet”, They’ve succeeded, and the end product isn’t a made of clear plexiglass and there’s no lightbending-stealth technology. In fact it’s not really a helmet at all.

Hövding is a rapidly-inflating airbag that deploys from a collar around your neck when you’re in an accident. Here’s how it works, and a video demonstrating this amazing, but still expensive, invention.

The invisible bicycle helmet uses rechargeable battery-powered accelerometers and gyroscopes that detect the typical motions involved in a bike crash. They trigger a tiny gas inflator which instantly fills a nylon airbag with helium. The bag forms a hood around your head that cushions the impact of the street, a car, or anything else you slam into.

[hlthe2b]

1. I'd sure love an alternative to a bike helmet.... If it works and they get the price down

THough it surely will be rather uncomfortable and hot on a summer day, but undoubtedly worth it if it works as described.

[Ellipsis]

2. get out!

[Travis_0004]

3. It looks like a cool idea.

I'm sure that as time goes on, it will become smaller and cheaper, so it can only improve.

[Ron Obvious]

4. Looks like...

Sure, why not look like Jennifer from WKRP and dazzle the natives when I go arse over tit on my bike.

[HopeHoops]

5. I think I'll stick with my traditional helmet, but I have to admit that it is cool.

[mike_c]

6. I'm happy with the helmet I have, and no need to worry about...

....whether my motion is distinct enough to trigger the accelerometers.

[Liberal_in_LA]

7. nice