Someone Designed This Bizarre $199 Coronavirus Protection Helmet And People Are Confused
Since the beginning of this year, our daily check of “phone, wallet, keys” now includes one more item—a face mask. Mandatory in much of the world, face masks have become something… ordinary, don’t you think? But since the future is here, you can ditch your plain old and uninspiring face mask for something a bit more dystopian.
If you’re a fan of sci-fi or keen on looking like someone who has just stepped out of a spacecraft, these astronaut-like helmets might be for you. Called MicroClimate Air, the new product has caused quite a stir on social media. Scroll down below to find out more!
More info: MicroClimate Air
For those who aren’t so keen on wearing face masks, there’s a new solution
Image credits: MicroClimate
The dystopian-looking protective helmet is made with a see-through bubble at the front and a washable fabric that covers the head and neck over the back. Bubble Boy vibes? We think so. The MicroClimate Air also has a built-in ventilation system that utilizes high-powered fans to pull air through filters in the mask. The company promises a “fresh and fog-free” life for helmet wearers, who’ll have to pay $199 for the comfort.
It’s called MicroClimate Air, and it’s an acrylic visor that doesn’t fog up
Image credits: MicroClimate
And which has a built-in ventilation system
Image credits: MicroClimate
The new futuristic product is the brainchild of Michael Hall, an entrepreneur who was skiing when the idea for these helmets popped into his head. “Michael Hall envisioned a new wearable whilst skiing with his family in the mountains of Utah,” the website reads.
The MicroClimate Air sells for $199
Image credits: MicroClimate
And has four hours of battery life
Image credits: MicroClimate
“As he spoke with his children on the lift, he could not see their faces. They were obstructed by ski masks, goggles, and other clothing. This equipment quickly gets wet, cold, and gross. He envisioned a new kind of wearable that would create a ‘micro climate’ around the head.”
To make it comfortable, cushion liners are included
Image credits: MicroClimate
While the helmet is made of a washable fabric
Image credits: MicroClimate
The MicroClimate Air website also says that there are nine US patent applications that protect the new helmet, including its airflow design and the washable filter fabric. The company also notes that it “works well with AirPods.”
It’s all fine and dandy, but what do people think? Well, their opinions are… divided, to say the least.
But people are unsure about the new, futuristic product
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Share on FacebookWould love to see one of these guys sneeze or cough on this Hogwarts-enhanced acrylic that "doesn't fog up."
It only doesn't fog up because there is a fan that blows across the inside, and probably dries your eyes out pretty bad. Real astronaut helmets use a combination of air circulation and a thin film of soap solution on the inside to keep droplets from forming.
Load More Replies...Imagine if you get a bad tickle or itch on your nose while wearing this Or your nose starts dripping.
Well, you shouldn't be touching your face while you're out and about with a mask anyway, so it might be for the best that it's not easy to just forget and scratch away. And if your nose is dripping then it's even better that there's a layer of glass between your nose and the people around you...
Load More Replies...Just remember, once Covid-19 is taken care of, you'll still have paid $200 for this and will wonder "what do we do with it now?!"
Although I have no desire to purchase this I wouldn't be surprised if you see it used in some workplaces. Healthcare for example, nursing homes so residents can still see the staff's facial expressions and lips moving for those hard of hearing. Price wise, its about the cost of 8-10 boxes of disposable masks, so again, depending on one's situation it may pay for itself
$200 is cheap if you live in the US (no universal health care), and are in a high-risk category (essential worker, pre-existing conditions, etc). It can save you thousands of dollars in hospital fees. Laugh all you want, but if I need to take an airline flight any time soon, I'd probably try to get one of these.
I am curious how effective this is in regard to controlling infectious disease because I have an immune deficiency and would absolutely pay $199 and look like a complete dork if it meant not catching every cold and flu going around. If it's not effective at that, It's just plain stupid, imo.
Inventors have to start somewhere. If people buy it - and quite a lot are positive about it - then I bet there will be ones that last longer, like for a working day. Personally I don't fancy going that long, but I bet people will. And maybe they will iron out some of the other disadvantages, given the chance!
Load More Replies...I pray that when the election is over that the "pandemic" will fade away and crap like this will be only a sad and fleeting memory!
Honestly I wouldn't call these dystopian. I know we tend to use that word to mean "weird and futuristic" but this design is neither dehumanizing nor oppressive. The current pandemic is totally tied to environmental degradation and poaching (which is dystopian for sure) but this design made as a response to it seems to allow us to continue sharing space with other people and show them the expression on our face better than mask. Plus PPE is not bondage, it's a sign that we care about other people. I'm only worried about the fog that I feel would make this helmet impossible to be in. Masks+glasses already makes my life impossible.
There is an inflatable version from Scandinavia that is being tested by transit drivers. It has a battery-driven air filter and wearers say it is lightweight and easy on/off. The goal is to get the price below $20 USD, and make the filter compatible with a range of chargers and auxiliary batteries, such as USB backups used for phones and laptops.
idk, i kinda like them, that kid a couple of months back doing this with their hoodie and a clear pot lid was onto something
For the alpha launch, they’ll have little upgrades you can add to your helmet, like helmet wipers inside and out for those rainy days and for those allergy sufferers. and a gunk colector for the inside wipers that has a ‘easy dump feature’ so you can still keep safe all the while, still in your bubblehead. Maybe they’ll even release a 12 foot charging cord so you can keep it on while it charges for ‘short distance safety’. I’d like to think some external speakers and a mic with a voice changer were in the works also..
What do you want to bet that someone would complain, "I can't see through this glass!"... as they wear glasses?
YES! When COVID over could still use for installing house insulation, working in dusty environs, etc
It's still around 41C here in the Phoenix, AZ area. Yes, it's end of September! Anyway, I can't imagine wearing that gadget here. We'd all suffocate!
I collect gas masks and earlier this year, during the lock down, I wore the most comfortable I own to the shops, because with the appropriate filter it really does protect me from Corona... And since we're right in the middle of the second wave, I might just start wearing it again.
I guess based on all these comments I would be considered weird that I kinda want one. I think this is especially interesting if they decide to force my child to go back to school in person... *sigh*
OMG I don't wanna live in that kind of world!! please people behave so we can get our lives back!!
Heard of 'Daylight robbery'? Now they can charge for air to breathe. That said, I can imagine places it might be useful, and at least you can see their faces and expressions.
Would love to see one of these guys sneeze or cough on this Hogwarts-enhanced acrylic that "doesn't fog up."
It only doesn't fog up because there is a fan that blows across the inside, and probably dries your eyes out pretty bad. Real astronaut helmets use a combination of air circulation and a thin film of soap solution on the inside to keep droplets from forming.
Load More Replies...Imagine if you get a bad tickle or itch on your nose while wearing this Or your nose starts dripping.
Well, you shouldn't be touching your face while you're out and about with a mask anyway, so it might be for the best that it's not easy to just forget and scratch away. And if your nose is dripping then it's even better that there's a layer of glass between your nose and the people around you...
Load More Replies...Just remember, once Covid-19 is taken care of, you'll still have paid $200 for this and will wonder "what do we do with it now?!"
Although I have no desire to purchase this I wouldn't be surprised if you see it used in some workplaces. Healthcare for example, nursing homes so residents can still see the staff's facial expressions and lips moving for those hard of hearing. Price wise, its about the cost of 8-10 boxes of disposable masks, so again, depending on one's situation it may pay for itself
$200 is cheap if you live in the US (no universal health care), and are in a high-risk category (essential worker, pre-existing conditions, etc). It can save you thousands of dollars in hospital fees. Laugh all you want, but if I need to take an airline flight any time soon, I'd probably try to get one of these.
I am curious how effective this is in regard to controlling infectious disease because I have an immune deficiency and would absolutely pay $199 and look like a complete dork if it meant not catching every cold and flu going around. If it's not effective at that, It's just plain stupid, imo.
Inventors have to start somewhere. If people buy it - and quite a lot are positive about it - then I bet there will be ones that last longer, like for a working day. Personally I don't fancy going that long, but I bet people will. And maybe they will iron out some of the other disadvantages, given the chance!
Load More Replies...I pray that when the election is over that the "pandemic" will fade away and crap like this will be only a sad and fleeting memory!
Honestly I wouldn't call these dystopian. I know we tend to use that word to mean "weird and futuristic" but this design is neither dehumanizing nor oppressive. The current pandemic is totally tied to environmental degradation and poaching (which is dystopian for sure) but this design made as a response to it seems to allow us to continue sharing space with other people and show them the expression on our face better than mask. Plus PPE is not bondage, it's a sign that we care about other people. I'm only worried about the fog that I feel would make this helmet impossible to be in. Masks+glasses already makes my life impossible.
There is an inflatable version from Scandinavia that is being tested by transit drivers. It has a battery-driven air filter and wearers say it is lightweight and easy on/off. The goal is to get the price below $20 USD, and make the filter compatible with a range of chargers and auxiliary batteries, such as USB backups used for phones and laptops.
idk, i kinda like them, that kid a couple of months back doing this with their hoodie and a clear pot lid was onto something
For the alpha launch, they’ll have little upgrades you can add to your helmet, like helmet wipers inside and out for those rainy days and for those allergy sufferers. and a gunk colector for the inside wipers that has a ‘easy dump feature’ so you can still keep safe all the while, still in your bubblehead. Maybe they’ll even release a 12 foot charging cord so you can keep it on while it charges for ‘short distance safety’. I’d like to think some external speakers and a mic with a voice changer were in the works also..
What do you want to bet that someone would complain, "I can't see through this glass!"... as they wear glasses?
YES! When COVID over could still use for installing house insulation, working in dusty environs, etc
It's still around 41C here in the Phoenix, AZ area. Yes, it's end of September! Anyway, I can't imagine wearing that gadget here. We'd all suffocate!
I collect gas masks and earlier this year, during the lock down, I wore the most comfortable I own to the shops, because with the appropriate filter it really does protect me from Corona... And since we're right in the middle of the second wave, I might just start wearing it again.
I guess based on all these comments I would be considered weird that I kinda want one. I think this is especially interesting if they decide to force my child to go back to school in person... *sigh*
OMG I don't wanna live in that kind of world!! please people behave so we can get our lives back!!
Heard of 'Daylight robbery'? Now they can charge for air to breathe. That said, I can imagine places it might be useful, and at least you can see their faces and expressions.
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