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Community => Science and Technology => Topic started by: ThunderWulf on April 07, 2013, 10:59:44 pm

Title: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: ThunderWulf on April 07, 2013, 10:59:44 pm
These two women spent a lot of money and around 7 years to make what they call an invisible bicycle helmet.  The result:

http://www.upworthy.com/the-invisible-bike-helmet-that-youll-have-to-not-see-to-believe?g=2&c=ufb1 (http://www.upworthy.com/the-invisible-bike-helmet-that-youll-have-to-not-see-to-believe?g=2&c=ufb1)
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Witchyjoshy on April 07, 2013, 11:12:30 pm
That's fairly clever.  Essentially it seems like an airbag for your head.

That being said, I would be nervous using it, in case it didn't deploy.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Random Gal on April 08, 2013, 02:29:44 am
It would make a great accessory for one of these:

(http://www.roflcat.com/images/cats/bike.jpg)
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Sylvana on April 08, 2013, 02:35:45 am
I wonder what its deployment mechanism is. It seems to be tilt operated from what I can see.

I think it is a good idea. it acts more like an airbag and so should help cushion ones head better than a hard helmet, as well as protecting the neck as well. It looks like a genuinely good idea and product.

If I cycled at all, (I need to fix my bike before I can even think of doing that) I would be likely to invest in one of these.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: mellenORL on April 08, 2013, 01:49:11 pm
It is most likely triggered by an accelerometer chip, as are airbags. Once the chip sensors are tripped by a sudden shift of movement/direction that falls within the parameters of an accidental impact, it in turn trips a solenoid that instantly releases compressed gas into the bag. With the eyes left uncovered by the air bag, even a malfunction would be harmless, though mighty startling. A very clever redesign of existing tech, and would encourage more riders to always have a head safety device on while cycling.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: MadCatTLX on April 08, 2013, 02:31:31 pm
I think I remember seeing a similar idea done with a motorcycle jacket that had air bags in it.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Osama bin Bambi on April 13, 2013, 03:30:42 pm
And who says women can't invent anything useful?
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: future colours on April 14, 2013, 12:34:19 am
awww. what about some invisible :P guns.. like on yugioh :P
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: chitoryu12 on April 14, 2013, 05:43:05 pm
My sister and I spent so much time watching this video and hearing them talk about it, excited to see just what they had made.

Seeing a giant collar that inflates into a helmet in literally the last seconds of the video was a bit....underwhelming.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Askold on April 15, 2013, 12:44:22 am
I don't mind wearing a helmet while cycling, so personally I would rather have a visible helmet that turns into a better safer helmet.

Or, you know just have that better helmet.


But I suppose this same technology has better uses, like it was said earlier this seems a lot like the motorcycle air bags.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Jack Mann on April 16, 2013, 11:00:04 am
Eh, it's still better than not wearing any helmet at all.  If some people are more likely to wear this than a traditional helmet, then that's good.  Those of us who are good with regular helmets can continue wearing them, and other people can still have their noggins safe.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Rabbit of Caerbannog on April 16, 2013, 12:22:15 pm
awww. what about some invisible :P guns.. like on yugioh :P
Or an invisible bicycle, also like on Yu-Gi-Oh.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Askold on April 18, 2013, 12:18:18 am
awww. what about some invisible :P guns.. like on yugioh :P
Or an invisible bicycle, also like on Yu-Gi-Oh.
How about some invisible clothes?

You know for nudists who live in colder climates. And kings. Gotta have invisible clothes for the king.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: Sigmaleph on April 18, 2013, 05:56:16 pm
While the helmet is nice and all, I find the whole "We have conquered the impossible!" narrative really annoying. You'd think they built a portable anti-gravity repulsor field, rather than a cleverly-shaped airbag.
Title: Re: "Invisible" bike helmets?
Post by: chitoryu12 on April 18, 2013, 07:08:47 pm
While the helmet is nice and all, I find the whole "We have conquered the impossible!" narrative really annoying. You'd think they built a portable anti-gravity repulsor field, rather than a cleverly-shaped airbag.

I will admit to having legitimately wanted to see them create an invisible or nearly invisible helmet through some revolutionary materials science. The video is literally nothing but the two of them talking about how amazing they are and about some sexist guy who didn't like them until the last few seconds, when they show off a rather benign inflatable helmet.