Wearing a mask has become one of the main measures in the fight against the current coronavirus pandemic. However, the mask is not for everyone. Because of this, one company is instead offering a kind of "space helmet" that helps avoid the concealment of facial expressions. This evokes in particular the presence of an integrated ventilation system in order to breathe better.
The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may be one of the democratization of fake news. Regarding masks, those who are against advance in particular the argument of the risk of hypoxia (lack of oxygen). If this argument is not valid, some people are still very embarrassed by wearing a mask covering their face.
Based on this kind of observation, the MicroClimate brand says it has worked on an alternative solution. There is talk of a full-face helmet named "Air" reminiscent of those worn by astronauts. First, this headset allows you to see facial expressions of his interlocutors. Then there is the possibility for the wearer to isolate themselves in a kind of microclimate, hence the name of the brand.
As Fast Company explains in an October 5, 2020 article, MicroClimate is owned by former automotive engineer Michael Hall. The person concerned claims to have imagined this concept during a ski holiday with his family in Utah (USA). Indeed, the man could not see the faces of his children, covered by ski masks, goggles and other clothes which became cold and wet throughout the day. He then had the idea of creating a helmet, creating a microclimate around the head. With the arrival of the pandemic, the design was then adapted.
The Air helmet offers optimal protection thanks to its ventilation system . The latter incorporates a powerful fan passing the air through HEPA filters. We should also mention the presence of an acrylic visor avoiding fogging problems. In addition, the helmet is wide enough to offer the possibility of wearing headphones or even a pair of glasses. On the autonomy side, the device incorporates a battery that can keep the ventilation system active for four hours. The user will also appreciate the presence of a USB cable with a length of 1.80 m in order to connect their devices.
Available in white and black, however, the Air helmet is subject to criticism. These are mainly about the price, $199 , which obviously does not suit all budgets. On the other hand, science fiction fans could be seduced by this rather surprising concept! However, buyers will have to get used to the idea that this helmet does not go unnoticed in the public space.
Here is the presentation video of the MicroClimate Air helmet:
