Terrifying bike helmet filters bad air, increases fear

If you've been worrying that small children weren't frightened enough when you pedaled your bike down the street, 22-year-old Luke Pannell, a Brunel University industrial design student, is here to help. The young inventor has created a biking helmet that he's dubbed "Breathe Air," which in addition to looking like a cross between Michael Myers, a Storm Trooper and The Predator, also features a filtering "shield" over the mouth and nose, which cuts particles and dust, then expels them through a plastic tube when the user exhales. The helmet isn't currently in production, but the designer hopes to find a manufacturer, then market the device for around £100. Now all it needs is an attached Bluetooth headset so you can communicate back to the Death Star without taking your eyes off the road.

[Via Boing Boing]

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 12th 2007 10:51AM]

Nothing brings on the intimidation like a bicycle helmet.

[Eric M. @ Jul 12th 2007 11:51AM]

Yeah now imagine that intimidation during holloween. Nothing like having clean air while you scare the death out of some little 6 year olds and then steal their candy. But then again theres no way to eat the candy..lol.

I don't even ride bikes but I would buy this for driving so I can flip people off in style..lol.

~Eric

[Aaron Edmonds @ Jul 12th 2007 1:55PM]

Robots in disguise!

[piz @ Jul 12th 2007 10:53AM]

Cool looking... How does one have any peripheral with this????

[Mojo_Yugen @ Jul 12th 2007 11:20AM]

Real bikes don't need peripheral vision! But apparently they do need filtered air. And how does one drink when wearing that thing?

[Rob @ Jul 12th 2007 10:57AM]

I know that all the holes are for ventilation. But, unless you're playing paintball with it, there's no need for it to be so scary. It'd be great for Halloween though. Maybe in black or dark green.

But, like Piz mentioned, what about your peripheral vision. This thing has to increase your blind spots.

[Jamie @ Jul 12th 2007 11:02AM]

That helmet would be seriously awesome for paintball. In addition to the looks, for which players would buy it alone, the dust filter would be a real boon, as many fields are very dusty, leaving one hacking up one's lungs at the end of a hot day.

[Josh @ Jul 12th 2007 11:27AM]

Seconded. Market these for paintball and you'd make a mint.

[tiuk @ Jul 12th 2007 12:06PM]

If you wore something like this on the field you'd be laughed off. People catch enough flak for wearing that JT headshield monstrosity.

[EatingPie @ Jul 12th 2007 2:00PM]

It only filters dust? I have asthma, but the biggest problem for cycling is... CAR EXHAUST!

I actually have a rating system for worse exhaust.

1) Trash Truck
2) Fire Truck
3) Bus
4) Cars

The other issue is that unless there's some sort of valve, your very wet breath will make this thing soaking wet inside. I had a filtered bandana, and after 20 minutes it was sopping.

-Pie

[Othello @ Jul 12th 2007 11:04AM]

I don't even ride a bike but I want one.

[OddManOut @ Jul 12th 2007 11:09AM]

Well if it means I don't ever have to get a bug in my lung again it's worth considering...

As for it being scary...yeah a little, in a somwhat animalistic/primordial way. I say make the mouthshield transparent and give it maybe 3x magnification biased horizontally (a la a fun house mirror). Then the eyes and crown won't just look alien and evil, the mouth will also look grotesque and perverted (like 'Venom').

THAT will keep the kids out'the way...

[Schwinn @ Jul 12th 2007 11:12AM]

Awesome, nothing like a windshield to shave more wind resistance to my ride. I'd like mine with the Rolling Stones "tongue" affixed to it please.

[Matt NL @ Jul 12th 2007 11:16AM]

They will be available in yellow, green, blue, red, pink and limited editions white and black...

Go Go Power Rangers!

[Comacozi @ Jul 12th 2007 11:19AM]

can anyone say holloween? not only will you be the scariest person, but you will have nice and clean lungs too :P

[John @ Jul 12th 2007 11:24AM]

2 questions:

1. Does it have infrared vision?
2. When will the shoulder-mounted laser be available?

[Comacozi @ Jul 12th 2007 11:29AM]

1. Plans are in the works
2. February 2049

[Ken @ Jul 12th 2007 11:31AM]

The helmet is worthless for paintball. It has too many narrow radii and hard surfaces. A paintball mask/helmet has a secondary function of deflection of paintballs in order to reduce the chance of a ball break. Also, I can't imagine how hard it would be to clean this thing after getting tagged.

In terms of cycling... Yeah I can see how menacing this would look riding a 10-speed and Speedo shorts. Perhaps it's design could be adopted to motorcross. I'm starting to think it is intended more for BMX the more I look at it.

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jul 12th 2007 11:39AM]

Wow... it's a Lego Bionicle mask!

[Asher69 @ Jul 12th 2007 12:02PM]

Noice! haha... I would insert some lame Bionicle joke in here to play off that, but I honestly can't stand those sets. Some of the worst stuff Lego ever came out with. 'Cept for those Belleville girl's sets. Those were pretty lame, too.

[graham @ Jul 12th 2007 11:42AM]

Notice the nice area at the front to paint a joker smile, moo ha ha

[KR @ Jul 12th 2007 1:59PM]

I was thinking that this looked like the illegitimate love child of the Joker and a Stormtrooper...

[ted Cadieux @ Jul 12th 2007 11:42AM]

Im almost positive this is the back side of the helmet everyone....looking at the way the helmet is designed, it doesent look like the front of one,

[Frostmonkey @ Jul 12th 2007 3:04PM]

I am pretty sure you are correct.

[Dave @ Jul 12th 2007 11:51AM]

Perfect. This is just what I was looking for to complete my superhero outfit.

[TJ @ Jul 12th 2007 11:57AM]

Bio-Booster Armor Guyver !!!!

[Peter @ Jul 12th 2007 12:01PM]

Lame, you will cook in this. Might be fine for winter cyclists.

I hike and a mere headnet for bugs makes me sweat crazy amounts as it traps a bit of air. This will work like a furnace and cook you. Entirely moronic.

[tiuk @ Jul 12th 2007 12:08PM]

"in addition to looking like a cross between Michael Myers, a Storm Trooper and The Predator"
I don't think anyone can possibly come up with a better description.

[Dustin @ Jul 12th 2007 12:13PM]

Look out! It's Shredder!

[shamrock593 @ Jul 12th 2007 12:15PM]

"which in addition to looking like a cross between Michael Myers, a Storm Trooper and The Predator"

I was more thinking Transformers?

[Rynth @ Jul 12th 2007 12:18PM]

Clean airs good and all, but how do i get my cigarette through it?

Pfft.

[kombizz @ Jul 12th 2007 12:26PM]

Is it a joke?

[murray @ Jul 12th 2007 12:55PM]

WTF? That is not right. As Nick said, that looks like the back of the helmet. In fat it looks very much like the back of MY helmet! Why they would provide a photo of the mask apparently attached the the back of a helmet, I do not know. But that is not a wearable or usable helmet as pictured.

If that really is the front, then as a cyclist I assure you that thing is useless. You would be almost blind, you wouldn't be able to drink, and the thing looks extremely uncomfortable!

I tried googling it for the original source but came up empty. I think this is a hoax that a lot of bloggers have been suckered by.

[Nick @ Jul 12th 2007 2:12PM]

Im pretty shure you all missed the point. I think the picture is missleading. There is no way the helmet and the filter are connected as the appear. My best guess is tha the filter straps on silmiar to a painters mask around the back of the head and a chin strap from the helmet loops through to keep the two components situated. Thus leaving your eyes free and clear to view whatever, where ever. Not sure those of us with glasses (or riders who wear sunglasses) would be able to use them very well with that setup though. But with the two front vents looking like eye wholes I can see where the image could be very missleading. There is no way those are eye wholes though cause as thick as the helmet is you wouldn't be able to see anything eles it was right in front of you, or if you happen to have the neck of an owl.

[kaztm @ Jul 12th 2007 1:24PM]

It's amazing how people are easily fooled by a picture.
Those "eye holes" must be air vents above forehead.

Could the mouth piece may actually be located in front of the helmet like a visor?

[nate @ Jul 12th 2007 2:14PM]

I think this is a great idea; however, why not go out and purchase a respirator from the nearest Lowes or Home Depot for ~$30-40 depending on how much filtering you want? If I was that concerned about the air quality when I bike, this is what I would do now.

[Yasonyacky @ Jul 12th 2007 2:37PM]

I want one to DJ in. Talk about a gimmick! DJ Death Star.

[rob @ Jul 12th 2007 2:52PM]

It's not aero and looks like it would add quite a few grams to the weight one would have to lug up a 18% grade, so no real cyclists will touch it. Probably a few, ahhh..., "gravitationally challenged" star wars geeks will buy one, though, just to put on a shelf or something. It also looks like the cooling from the vents will be almost non-existent.

[Paul @ Jul 12th 2007 3:34PM]

"communicate back to the Death Star"

You have a great sense of humor! I laughed good at that one.

[PurgatoryPriest @ Jul 12th 2007 4:43PM]

"communicate back to the Death Star"

'You have a great sense of humor! I laughed good at that one'

Oh snap!(Is this term still hip?), you and I must have laughing at the same time. I can hear it now, 'Commander Rider...report immediately to StarDock 11'

[Brian Ehni @ Jul 12th 2007 5:54PM]

Actually, since the roads in my neighborhood have been taken over by huge pelletons of bike-riding yuppies, I'd love to find a way to add tear gas to my car exhaust. Too bad this helmet would negate those ideas.

[tekdroid @ Jul 12th 2007 6:24PM]

IMO, car exhausts are the "real scary".

Cities and suburbs choked with noxious air, 365 days a year, not that any government not pushed to the wall by their citizens cares; the revenue they make from fuel is far too high for them to bother.

[Jypson @ Jul 12th 2007 7:12PM]

Wow, Awesome...

[blueeyesm @ Jul 13th 2007 11:37AM]

I think this would sell in a variety of markets, given a fe design changes.

It looks kind of heavy due to the size of it. 2nd, it needs to reveal more of the face, as others have said it looks scary... or worse yet, could be used fr more sinister means.

G8 protestors would like this. One could also paint to make one look like a Transformers fan.

Paintball usage makes sense for the filter, not the helmet desig (which IS backwards). If anyone is making fun of somebody wearing a protective mask should take a few rounds in the face. The few I've played in required them to be worn, in lieu of safety and not desiring any possible lawsuits.

[Z @ Jul 13th 2007 12:57PM]

If you're on a pilgrimage to become the laughingstock or to get whipped, be sure to buy this.

If you desire to significantly reduce your chances of ever knowing a woman, be sure to buy this.

If you're working hard to lose every last ounce of respect from your friends, family, and fellow riders, be sure to buy this.

Class dismissed.

[Jeremy @ Jul 18th 2007 4:34PM]

Now I think that the eye holes should have sunglass inserts in differant colors. then it would be perfect.