New airbag helmets created for cycling may also be useful for epilepsy.
A Swedish company had designed a new kind of cycle helmet. The helmet may also eventually be useful for people with epilepsy. The Hovding-Airbag for Cyclists is a unique bicycle helmet. It inflates into an airbag to protect the wearer’s head if there is a collision.
It could also be used by people with epilepsy to protect against a sudden fall because of a seizure. The airbag helmet is worn around the neck like a scarf or collar. The collar contains a folded up airbag that inflates in the event of an accident. Sensors within the collar pick up strange or sudden movements. The airbag is shaped like a hood. It surrounds and protects the user’s head.
At the moment, the airbag can only be used once. This would not be of much use to anyone with repeated seizures. However, a reusable product is now a step closer: The Epilepsy Foundation in the US has given the developers a cash prize of $25,000. This is part of an award of recognition, called the ‘Epilepsy Innovation Seal of Excellence’ or SEAL.
Read more here
