Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Invisible Bike Helmet?

I think this is a great idea and I would definitely use a Hovding when commuting around town.  Would you wear this helmet? You have to check out the video!

Hövding is a bicycle helmet unlike any other currently on the market. It's ergonomic, it's practical, it complies with all the safety requirements, and it's also subtle and blends in with what else you are wearing.
Hövding is a collar for bicyclists, worn around the neck. The collar contains a folded up airbag that you'll only see if you happen to have an accident. The airbag is shaped like a hood, surrounding and protecting the bicyclist's head. The trigger mechanism is controlled by sensors which pick up the abnormal movements of a bicyclist in an accident.

The actual collar is the visible part of the invention. It's covered by a removable shell that you can change to match your outfit, and they will be launching new designs all the time. Hövding is a practical accessory that's easy to carry around, it's got a great-looking yet subtle design, and it will save your life.


The master minds - Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin

In 2005 they started working together on a joint master thesis in industrial design after four and a half years studying at LTH, the Faculty of Engineering at Lund University in Sweden. The law that had just been introduced in Sweden making bicycle helmets compulsory for children up to the age of 15 had triggered a heated debate on whether it should be extended to include adult cyclists too. To people like us, who wouldn't be seen dead in a polystyrene helmet, the thought that we might be forced to wear one by law was cause for concern. Producing a bicycle helmet that people would be happy to put on looked like a much better way to go than legislation forcing people to wear one or else. They realized that their industrial design master thesis was the perfect place to find out whether the traditional bicycle helmet could be improved on.

I love the thought and design. At $450 dollars and it only being a one time use makes it out of reach for my pocket book. I am interested to see the new and up and coming designs they will start to offer. There is still some kinks to work out but could this start to take over our everyday helmets?



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