IT SEEMS fairly remarkable that in 2019, an age of extraordinary technological advancements, the notion of an air-conditioned helmet remains incredibly niche.
As temperatures across the UK soar – to what meteorologists are predicting to be the hottest day on record today [Thursday 25 July] – and Europe literally bakes in Saharan temperatures, the lengths people are needing to go to keep not only cool but safe are proving to be sizeable.
Whilst the idea of taking your motorbike out or wearing any ‘polystyrene hat’ in these conditions might be too much for some, we do wonder whether if we owned a Feher ACH-1 we’d feel more compelled to get out there. In fact, it sounds rather pleasant in this weather generally whether you are sat on a bike or a bench.
What is the Feher ACH-1?
To date, the Feher ACH-1 remains the only self-contained air-conditioned helmet available on the market (ie. not cooled using an external pod you either fill or attach). Much like a proper air-conditioner, the unit is attached using a battery harness, powering a small unit on the back of the helmet which has been integrated relatively discreetly.
LA inventor Steve Feher insists the technology is not designed to give you an ‘ice cream headache’ by blasting cold air around your head but subtly reduce the temperatures slowly to create a more comfortable riding environment.
How does the Feher ACH-1 work?
Feher has tapped into the technology it says is used by the likes of Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari and Lexus to cool the seats in its vehicles to ensure the cool air is distributed evenly across the top of the head and reduces the temperatures by between 12-18 degrees
How much does the Feher ACH-1 cost?
It’s not cheap. $549 (£440)
Is there a market for the Feher ACH-1?
The price and potential use of such a helmet in Europe’s seasonal climate means the demand is probably low enough for the likes of Arai, AGV and Shoei to put it on the ‘maybe’ pile.
However, given the necessary role motorbikes play in everyday life for some people, longer hotter summers could prompt mainstream firms to look more closely at the technology. Would you buy one if it was available?
