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The invisible bike helmet: Saving lives and preventing helmet head
Two Swedish designers have created what many people said was impossible.
Mon, Aug 20 2012 at 10:55 AM
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Image courtesy Focus Forward Features
Anna Haupt and Terese Alpin were design students who took on an enormous task for their final project a few years ago: how do you create helmetless head protection for cyclists?
Plenty of people who ride bikes don't like to wear helmets because they are uncomfortable, they flatten your hair and make your head sweat. And because bike helmets just look ugly or because riders just like to feel the wind in their hair, the designers wanted to create a solution for all of those people who want to protect their craniums but abhor bike helmets.
Passionate bikers themselves, the designing duo has now taken their initial challenge and spent years perfecting what plenty of people think is a multimillion dollar idea (and gotten some serious financing to bring it to fruition). Their tenacity and perseverance show that even what seems impossible can be done.
The Invisible Bicycle Helmet | Fredrik Gertten from Focus Forward Films on Vimeo.
I think this seems like a pretty genius idea. What do you think?
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This tech (at least the airbag part) is already used in motorcycle racing suits, if it works for them it'll work for cyclists. Perhaps the cost will be an issue for some, but not for others, when has this not been the case?
I guess the main issue will be with the compatibility (anchoring) of the helmet with various items of clothing..... no point in having a fancy hidden airbag helmet that shoots off into the air when you need it!
Interesting. From what I see in the video, this seems significantly safer than the current helmets that are available, since it protects not just the head, but the neck and chin as well. And on top of being more protective, you don't have to have a helmet on all the time! (confession - I ride without one because I hate helmets so much - I would totally wear this though).
You're missing the point TomH. The major cause of head injury from bicycle accidents (and car accidents) results from what is termed a coup contracoup injury which a hard shell absolutely doesn't help (actually, it attributes to it). It's where the brain hits the back of the skull (or front) and then hits the other side. It's caused d/t energy not being absorbed. An air bag absorbs the kinetic energy and reduces the damage. This is awesome, and i would absolutely purchase one.
Cool. But part of the benefit of a bike helmet is that it also has a hard shell. This design is like car airbags, but without the car frame around you.
It wont work.
I wear a helmet all the time. It's a Giro Atmos and the cooling system is so good my head is actually less sweaty with it on. It was $150, but it was def. worth it. And I hear the newer Ionos is even better.
But this - this is ridiculous. This is an airbag around your neck. If anything, this would be more uncomfortable, more sweaty and way more ugly than just putting a helmet on. And I don't think this would cost less than $150. Sorry, but this project is worthless.