Gingersnap
10-22-2010, 05:33 PM
The airbag for cyclists: New inflatable collar protects riders who refuse to wear a helmet
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:57 AM on 22nd October 2010
It is the perfect invention for those of us too vain to bother wearing a helmet while riding our bikes.
The 'Hvvding' helmet is an airbag 'collar' that springs into action within 0.1 seconds, covering the skull and neck of a rider in the event of an impact.
Roughly translated into English as the 'Chieftain' - the Hvvding was designed over six years by two Swedish industrial design students.
http://i55.tinypic.com/6dr2bb.jpg
The head airbag takes only 0.1 seconds to inflate, completely covering the bicycle riders head and neck
Designer Anna Haupt said the company hoped the airbag would hit the shops across Northern Europe and the UK in the spring next year. It will first cost around £260 but Ms Haupt believes a lot of people have been crying out for an alternative to the helmet.
The team developed a system using a collar containing a folded airbag which is only inflates when sensors inside detect a sudden jolt. A small helium gas cylinder inflates the collar in just 0.1 seconds and it remains inflated for several seconds after impact. The device has been 'tuned' by recreating hundreds of accidents using crash test dummies and real riders.
'The release mechanism is controlled by sensors that detects the abnormal motion of the cyclist in an accident.'
The inventors say that the colour of the collar can even be changed to match whatever outfit the cyclist is wearing. The hood itself is made from a durable nylon fabric that can withstand the scraping against the road.
Interesting. I never wear a helmet on my bike. Fascinating clip of the collar deploying the air bag at the link.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1322484/Airbag-cyclists-Inflatable-collar-protects-riders-refuse-wear-helmet.html#ixzz137qJg7f2
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 10:57 AM on 22nd October 2010
It is the perfect invention for those of us too vain to bother wearing a helmet while riding our bikes.
The 'Hvvding' helmet is an airbag 'collar' that springs into action within 0.1 seconds, covering the skull and neck of a rider in the event of an impact.
Roughly translated into English as the 'Chieftain' - the Hvvding was designed over six years by two Swedish industrial design students.
http://i55.tinypic.com/6dr2bb.jpg
The head airbag takes only 0.1 seconds to inflate, completely covering the bicycle riders head and neck
Designer Anna Haupt said the company hoped the airbag would hit the shops across Northern Europe and the UK in the spring next year. It will first cost around £260 but Ms Haupt believes a lot of people have been crying out for an alternative to the helmet.
The team developed a system using a collar containing a folded airbag which is only inflates when sensors inside detect a sudden jolt. A small helium gas cylinder inflates the collar in just 0.1 seconds and it remains inflated for several seconds after impact. The device has been 'tuned' by recreating hundreds of accidents using crash test dummies and real riders.
'The release mechanism is controlled by sensors that detects the abnormal motion of the cyclist in an accident.'
The inventors say that the colour of the collar can even be changed to match whatever outfit the cyclist is wearing. The hood itself is made from a durable nylon fabric that can withstand the scraping against the road.
Interesting. I never wear a helmet on my bike. Fascinating clip of the collar deploying the air bag at the link.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1322484/Airbag-cyclists-Inflatable-collar-protects-riders-refuse-wear-helmet.html#ixzz137qJg7f2