Beat the heat: Feher launches ACH-1 helmets with integrated air-conditioning system

If you are regularly riding a two-wheeler in India where summer heat is usually unbearable, you may have fancied an air conditioning system inside your helmet. Many manufacturers provide the air-conditioning as aftermarket add-ons and add more weight to the helmet.

However, Steve Feher, an avid motorcycle rider from Hawaii was unsatisfied with the aftermarket cooling options for the helmet and began to work on an integrated version. Feher teamed up with a leading motorcycle helmet developer and manufacturer to build the all-new ACH-1, which is considered as world's first helmet with a cooling system integrated into the shell.

How does it work?

The Feher ACH-1 utilizes the tried and tested technology that is used to cool the seats in vehicles built by Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Ferrari, Infiniti, Lexus, and GM and others. It applies thermoelectric technology in combination with Feher's patented Tubular Spacer Fabric to evenly distribute filtered, cooled air freely throughout the interior of the helmet.

However, that doesn't mean that the Feher ACH-1 helmet is designed to give you an 'ice cream headache,' warns the company. It is designed just to reduce the interior temperature around a riders skull during hot rides compared to using a traditional helmet. The idea is to keep the riders head cool and thereby his or her body feel less impacted by the heat and make for a more comfortable ride.

How does it get power?

Feher ACH-1 comes with a harness to connect to the battery and a quick-disconnect cord. This connects the helmet to the battery and powers the AC unit. However, if you want to be completely 'wire-free,' the helmet can also be used with an external 12V battery pack that can be purchased separately.

Feher confirms a 3000mAh battery should power the helmet for around 2 hours, a 6000mAh battery should power it for 4 hours and a 12000mAh should work for 6 hours.

How much does it cost?

Introductory price of $549.99 translates into around Rs 38,600. The package includes its own backpack, gloss and matte finish, clear anti-fog and anti-scratch treated visors as standard. Feher is yet to announce the availability in the global markets.