Hövding, the airbag collar for cyclists ensures optimal protection thanks to the latest airbag technology which makes it up to 8 x safer than the classic bike helmet is.
The perfect helmet, according to the survey, should not restrict the user, yet ensure optimum protection and ideally be invisible. After years of research, the Swedish company Hövding, based in Malmöde, finally achieved this. The designers Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin and made this possible with their Hövinding 1.0 back in 2011. Today, the Airbag for Cyclists is an established product that is one of the safest bicycle helmets in the world.
“The Hövding is the biggest revolution in the history of bicycle helmets and a similar milestone as the airbag for vehicles.”
Dr. Maria Krafft, Head of Research Road Safety and Environment
The airbag helmet: Hövding 3.0
The Hövding is a discreet collar that the cyclist wears around the neck. The helmet is activated by closing a push button on the front, which is indicated by an acoustic signal and a light emitting diode. Integrated sensors registers the cyclist’s movements and during an accident it inflates, enveloping the cyclist’s head and fixing the neck.
A comprehensive bicycle helmet study by the Swedish insurance company Folksam found that the Hövding’s airbag effect is three times better than traditional bicycle helmets.
After four years of research and product development, the third generation of the airbag collar has been launched as early as September 2019 to further enhance the most effective head protection to date with a uniquely redesigned airbag.
Hövding 3 has become even more comfortable and lighter with an adjustable size for a perfect fit on the neck and neck. It is easier to use, has a newly developed patented airbag and the battery life has been extended from 10 to 15 hours of active cycling. Another novelty is that Hövding can be paired with a smartphone using Bluetooth. This enables useful functions as well as new opportunities for cyclists as well as for the development of safer cycling cities. For example, in the event of an accident, the app automatically sends a message with the current location to a saved emergency contact.
The Hövding 3 is the largest investment of the innovation company from Sweden. Numerous movement patterns during cycling were studied. More than 3,000 accidents are enacted using stuntmen and women, and over 2,000 hours of regular cycling has been gathered. When the Hövding airbag is activated, it registers the cyclist’s movements 200 times per second, and during an accident it inflates in 0.1 seconds, enveloping the cyclist’s head and fixing the neck.
“Hövding 3 provided the best protection and scored the best test results by far concerning shock absorption as well as oblique impact mitigation. Compared to the worst performing helmet in our test, Hövding offers a seven times lower risk of brain injury.”
is how the Swedish insurance company Folksam describes the result.
The Hövding only safe by using urban bikes (including e-bikes up to 25 km/h). S-pedelecs are excluded from this. The airbag helmet is tested and certified for people 15 years and older and for head sizes 52-59 cm (circumference) and for a neck size of 32 to 45 cm (circumference). For optimum wearing comfort, the neck size should have a circumference of at least 34 cm.
However, once the Hövding has been triggered, it cannot be used again and a new model, but with perks, must be purchased.
More about Hövding >> online