This inflatable bicycle helmet by Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin folds away into a collar or scarf and inflates instantly when it detects abnormal movements. Here it is being crash-tested.

Called Hövding, the product is worn as a scarf and an airbag folded into the collar inflates to cover the whole head before impact.

The scarf is a removable shell that covers the airbag inside and can be changed for different designs.

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Here's some information about the product:

HÖVDING – AN INVISIBLE HELMET FOR BICYCLISTS

After several years of research and development, a new Swedish invention has been launched. Hövding – a bicycle helmet unlike any other currently on the market. A bicycle helmet that is not even placed on your head. The founders and inventors Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin showed the world novelty at the Technical Fair in Stockholm on the 19th of October.

- We wanted to make a head protection for bicyclists based on the demands that was presented through our surveys. Among other things the protection should keep the sense of freedom that goes with bicycling and not ruin your hair. It feels amazing that our research and development has led up to this day when we can finally show Hövding to everyone, says Terese Alstin who is one of the inventors.

Hövding is a collar for bicyclists, worn around the neck. The collar contains a folded up airbag that you’ll only see if you happen to have an accident. The airbag is shaped like a hood, surrounding and protecting the bicyclist’s head. The trigger mechanism is controlled by sensors which pick up the abnormal movements of a bicyclist in an accident.

- The actual collar is the visible part of the invention. It’s covered by a removable shell that you can change to match your outfit, and we’ll be launching new designs all the time. Hövding is a practical accessory that’s easy to carry around, it’s got a great looking yet subtle design, and will save your life, says Anna Hupt.

For six years Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin have developed Hövding which is based on advanced technology and research. Both are educated Industrial designers and it was during their master thesis that they came up with the idea that laid the foundations for developing Hövding. Today they are twelve people working full time with Hövding.

Despite alarming accident statistics, most cyclists on the road aren’t wearing helmets. Every year about 40 people die and about 30,000 are injured in bicycling accidents, and that’s just in Sweden. One in three bicyclists who are injured suffer head injuries.

Despiten these alarming accident statistics, the vast majority of cyclists on the road aren’t wearing helmets. This is partly because helmets are bulky and impractical to carry around when you’re not on your bicycle, but it’s also because people think bicycle helmets look hideous and make them look silly. For most people, bicycling isn’t a sport. They’re just using their bicycles to get from A to B, bicycling to work, into town or to go out in the evening. Despite this, almost all the traditional bicycle helmets on the global market have a sporty design.

- In our opinion the range of bicycle helmets available is extremely narrow, they all look the same and the lack of variety results in very few people wearing them. Hövding is the solution to the problem, it’s subtle and blends in with what else you are wearing. And it doesn’t ruin your hair, says Terese Alstin.

You can pre-order Hövding now on the company website, www.hovding.com, at a special advance price. Hövding will be available in stores in spring 2011.

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