KOCHI: Long bike rides are exciting but the physical exhaustion and health problems take the sheen off the thrill. The most common problems associated with long distance bike rides are back pain and exhaustion due to heat, courtesy the helmet.
However, bikers can heave a sigh of relief for a 26-year-old native of Kozhikode has come up with an innovative helmet and jacket which he claims will make a long ride an enjoyable one. Sangeeth P N, who an ITI holder, has developed a ‘Cooling Helmet’ and ‘Vibrating Jacket’ for long distance bike riders.
While the helmet cools the air inside the helmet, the jacket massages the muscles to relieve back pain.
The fact that his inventions have been made using locally available materials make them even more attractive. “An exhaust fan has been attached to the helmet.
The fan works with the help of a mobile phone battery. The solar panel attached to the helmet charges the battery automatically. The battery works for two days continuously without recharging,” claims Sangeeth.
Two vibration motors have been attached to the jacket. These motors massage the waist muscles and hence soothes pain. The motors are attached to the bike’s battery. The products are inexpensive.
“The vibrating jacket costs Rs 900 and the extra apparatus on the helmet comes at Rs 300,” said Sangeeth. Most of the items used in making these items are commonly available, adds Sangeeth. He used old mobile phone battery, parts of a speaker and a CPU fan to create the exhaust for the helmet.
Sangeeth began tinkering with automobiles during his higher secondary days. The passion only grew while he did ITI from Government ITI, Kozhikode.
This young innovator is today working on bike engines which run on compressed air. “If this works out we will be able to reduce air pollution and put a stop to our dependence on fossil fuel,” Sangeeth added.