Swedish design house Hövding has come up with an airbag-style bike helmet that puts an inflatable protective hood around the wearer’s head at the time of impact. The helmet is worn in a collar and only inflates when an impact occurs.
Hövding is using motion sensors and microcontrollers from global semiconductor manufacturer STMicroelectronics. The “invisible” helmet is a collar worn around the neck with an airbag folded inside. The motion sensors pick up on abnormal movements associated with a crash, and inflate the helmet in a tenth of a second. The protective hood protects the cyclist’s head and neck, while leaving the field of vision open.
The “invisible” helmet doesn’t have to be just a utilitarian piece like the traditional bicycle helmet; it can be a fashion statement. Hövding has shown the helmet worn as the collar of a rain jacket. The issue there is whether it’s practical all the time. The jacket will need to become a part of your cycling attire, to be worn every time you ride. Also, it’s unclear whether the “invisible” helmet can be laundered.
httpv://youtu.be/Am9evsSvKhA