Safety on the handlebars, whether driving a motorcycle, bicycle or scooter, is just as important as when driving a car. It is not only relevant to protect yourself when driving on open roads, but also when making short journeys through the streets of the city. And it is that, if a fall or a fortuitous crash occurs, the consequences for the integrity of the driver can be serious.
Some bike or scooter riders complain that wearing a helmet is cumbersome. These types of security elements, in general, although they are becoming lighter, are quite bulky and can be quite conditioning when carrying out daily tasks.
This is well known to the engineering team at the German start-up Inflabi which, under the same name, has just introduced a new type of ultra-portable and ultra-light inflatable helmet for urban bikes.
The Inflabi is an inflatable bicycle helmet that differs from other similar products in that it does not work as if it were some kind of airbag, deploying right at the moment of impact. Its main advantage is that it inflates, thanks to its rear valve, before being used. It takes just 20 seconds to take shape, and just as many to deflate when it’s no longer needed.
In this way, the owner does not have to worry about where to store it nor will it be a hassle when transporting it when not in use, which makes it an extremely comfortable and practical security item. To store it, you just have to deflate it, fold it like a bag and put it inside your bag or backpack until you need to use it again. With a paltry weight of 140 g, it occupies the same size as a billfold.
The helmet boasts a modern look and is made from abrasion-resistant fabric with heat-sealed seams to prevent liquid seepage or air loss. It integrates inside thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) air chambers. According to the manufacturer, thanks to this component, his helmet is more resistant than inflatable foam helmets. It is also more sustainable.
The air chambers absorb the impact in the event of a fall without the structure of the helmet cracking as it happens with the foam variants. This makes it reusable, something that does not happen with its competitors, which have to be replaced after a strong collision. This means that it is more respectful with the environment, since its life cycle is longer and it can continue to be used as many times as required until the fabric breaks down.
The Inflabi also adjusts to the contour of each user’s head, there are no sizes or size mismatches, as sometimes happens with pre-designed bike helmets. At the moment, it is a prototype that is in the last phases of approval by the EU.
The first orders for the Inflabi and the start of its production are expected to begin this month of August, with a launch price of 150 euros. The first inflatable hulls are expected to reach their new owners in the fall, the perfect time to get back to business as usual after the summer. In the following video, you can learn about the article in greater detail.
