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The so-called "Invisible Bike Helmet" has been blowing up on the web thanks to a new-ish video about designers Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin, directed by Fredrik Gertten. It's something of a slow build as the two relate their story for the first 2:30 of the three-minute film, but it's well worth watching in full. For those of you who don't know how the Hövding works, we won't ruin the reveal:
Some seven years in the making, we first got wind of the remarkable, visually-compelling concept back in 2010. To say that it's a 10 million dollar idea (the amount that Haupt and Alstin have raised) is an understatement. However, at 3,998 kr (just under $600), we hope that the price will eventually drop to motivate widespread adoption. Find out more at Hovding.com.
Invisible helmet-tip to booooooom
Comments
It seems like a very similar concept to the Dainese Air system:
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/tagged/dainese-d-air/
http://www.dainese.com/en/next-challenges/d-air
I love it.
But is the problem its trying to solve that people don't want to wear helmets on their head? And would rather wear a collar? Is it more ventilated than a helmet? Can you pack it back up and re-use it or do I have to send it back in?
Still - as a multiple big crash survivor I've often wished for something like this. Dainese is doing it for motos. Neil Stephenson wrote about it in Snow Crash too.
In my office we refer to this as "pushing the problem around". Each solution isn't really any better than the last (and certainly no less expensive in this case), but it's different - god bless it. If they can make it about 30mm diameter and less than $120 I might be interested.
This concept is quite old. See US Patent No. 4,685,151 filed way back in 1983.
Concerns: Cost, accidental inflation, and performance during impact. Would this protective bag structure hold in place around my head after inflation and while I rolled and tumbled after initial impact. I know that my old reliable foam helmet will hold in place.
I feel bad for the people who invested the 10 million.
From now on, whenever I see a traditional bike helmet I'm going to think "invisible cervical collar" :-)
Best line in video, "..Bring in a rooster...and there will be order...."
Does it pass the safety test standards? Which ones?
Just saw this video and thought about buying one, then I saw the price! EEEK! Ryan's comment got me thinking too, its not on your head, its now just around your neck, and what if you drop it or have a minor tumble, are you going to shell out $500 for a new one? Will it inflate if you are struck by a road sign or something hanging out from another car? If it doesn't then why would anyone buy a this over a $30 helmet? Can you really see young chic swedish girls ruining their summer outfit with a huge scarf around their necks as they head to the park? Plus, as cars and other vehicles become more managed by technology, there will be no need for it