Helmets have advanced leaps and bounds throughout the years. These days we’re seeing lids incorporate all sorts of fancy tech and cutting-edge, super lightweight materials, all in a bid to improve comfort, safety, and overall performance.
Heck, we’re even seeing smart helmets with integrated comms systems, heads up displays, and other connectivity features, too. But this particular helmet from a company called Zyon wants to take things even further.
You see, riding a motorcycle in the countryside usually means inhaling nothing but fresh air. But commuting in densely populated cities with near-constant gridlock traffic is a different story. Just check out India's current AQI. And so, Zyon Helmets wants to make sure that riders breathe cleaner air. Plus, given the way things are going on in the world, I wouldn’t be all too surprised if we ultimately find ourselves in some kind of nuclear apocalypse soon or later.
So, how does the Zyon Helmet work? Well, it’s pretty simple, and it’s by way of a proprietary air filtration device installed on the chin bar of the helmet.
Zyon calls it the Breathe Safe System (BSS), and it says a whole lot to prove that it isn’t a load of BS. The system features a four-layer construction with the first layer being a water-repellent material to ensure you breathe in nothing but air. The second layer consists of a HEPA filter that captures fine particles like allergens and dust. After this layer is an activated carbon sheet that absorbs harmful gasses and other pollutants. Lastly, the whole thing is encapsulated in a spunbond layer ensuring durability and longevity.
To make things even better, the Zyon Helmet comes standard with MIPS, which, in case you weren’t aware, is designed to reduce rotational impacts in the event of a crash thanks to a sliding net mechanism inside the helmet—particularly useful when trying to stay alive in a dystopian world
And while all this is certainly cool, here’s the thing, not everyone needs a helmet with a built-in air filtration system—at least not yet. Personally, whenever I ride into the city, I wear a balaclava underneath my helmet to provide an extra layer between my nose and the air I breathe. And nine times out of 10, I find it to be adequate—take note, I live in Manila, one of the densest, most polluted cities in the world.
But sure, a lid like the Zyon Helmet just might work, especially for folks who are more particular about the air they breathe. And who knows? With the impending nuclear apocalypse and the zombie infestation that will follow shortly after, this thing just might be what keeps you alive.
All jokes aside, it goes without saying that price will be a major, if not the most important factor when it comes to this product’s mass adoption and eventual success.
At the moment, there doesn’t seem to be any price listed on Zyon’s official website, but given that it features MIPS, ECE and DOT certification, intercom compatibility, and a whole bunch of other features, chances are this thing will fetch quite a premium price tag. And so a part of me can’t help but feel like this thing’s trying to be too many things all at once.
But what do you think? Would you consider a helmet like this for your daily commute? How much would you be willing to pay for it? Sound off in the comments below.
Source: Zyon Helmets
