Cool Blast for Bikers
Riding a motorcycle can be a rush, but in the summertime it can get as hot as a Hell's Angel. Israeli physicist Glen Guttman promises relief to such roasting risk-takers with his revolutionary motorcycle air conditioner. The gadget consists of an electronic unit powered by a standard motorcycle battery that funnels cold air into a thermal undershirt worn by the motorcyclist under a heavy outer jacket. The unit is a lightweight box that can fit in the chopper's storage compartment and is connected by rubber tubing to the rider's torso. Guttman and partners hope to move the system to production by mid-2005, but Guttman plans on staying away from the bikes himself. "My investors don't want me to get on a motorcycle," he said. "They want to protect me."

-- Jenny McKeel from Wired News

....... and talk about tight traffic in the summer ... you can't squeez and wearing a fullface helmet. Dunno if any rider experienced a heat shock under the summertime traffic and just dropped. :?

I like this idea! I'd be happy just to have one piping cool air into my helmet. This can really make riding a literally cool experience in the summer. Thanks for sharing, katsch.

........ Dunno if any rider experienced a heat shock under the summertime traffic and just dropped. :?

:O :O :cheers: i just imagined how the situation looks like

dropped ... parang nalaglag na lang :D

gusto ko nyan para sa jacket + helm ko :cheers:

katsch.. that's a great idea. I guess his investors are concern of the safety issues in connections when the rider is unfortunate enough to come off his bike. Just a thought..

A british leather company who supply leathers to most branded names in motorcycle clothings have come up with a leather that is cooler than normal. It does so by reflecting the outside heat out and letting the heat inside escape. I think BMW has already used the leathers on their range of clothing and other manufacturers are testing the leather. I can't wait to get my hands on these but the BMW jacket is errrrrrr.... I can't afford. :(

Yep Suntzu and Elijah ...... I've seen some people "dropped" like puppets released by their handlers when they can no longer handle the heat, some were shown at AFV (america's funniest homevideo):D . And heatshock is fatal. Glen Guttman's idea may save a rider from this one. :)

Saw another thing on tv once. It was a jacket designed in japan that had small blowers (much like the fans we have in our computers) that ran on dcell batteries. Might also be a good project. Anybody want to give it a try? :D

An exhaust fan at the back of our helmets :D

An Israeli inventor has developed a motorcycle vest that has cold air circulating inside it from an electric "air-conditioning" unit, mounted on the bike.

Physicist Glen Guttman said his company, Entrosys, had developed an electronic unit powered by a standard motorcycle battery to funnel cold air into a thermal undershirt worn under the rider's heavy outer jacket.

The system doesn't need a compressor and the technology is quite simple but "like any simple idea, you have to think it up and then you have to implement it".

Unlike a domestic air-conditioner, the miniature system uses electronic technology in which various factors convert electric current into hot or cold airflow. Guttman has patented the invention and registering a patent for using it on a motorcycle.

The whole thing is contained in a small, light box that fits into the motorcycle's storage compartment (careful, Professor Guttman, not all bikes have storage compartments) and is powered by the bike's battery.

The rider wears a thermal undershirt under his protective clothing and a tube from the air-chiller carries the cooled air directly into the vest, which distributes cold air evenly over the rider's entire upper body, allowing him to stop sweating under his leathers.

It can also keep you warm in winter by distributing hot air through the same pipe and thermal shirt.

The founders as well as American and French investors have sunk $500 000 (about R3.3-million) into developing the product. One of the French investors recently entered Entrosys in Tremplin Enterprises, a venture capital competition organised by the French Senate.

Entrosys was the only Israeli entrant that went through to the final 30; one of the parliamentarians ordered one for trial use in a medical application while a European microcar company wants to talk about using it to cool its drivers.

"The device has many more applications," said Guttman. "Security forces, for instance, or fire-fighters can wear it under their gear.

"It's light and portable even if the wearer is moving and it's also suitable for tractor drivers and heavy machinery controllers.

"We opted for a commercial application aimed at riders of motorcycles with 650cc and larger engines," he explained, "because of their relatively high battery power."

Each unit would cost several hundred dollars, he said, and initial marketing would be aimed at the US and Europe.

Second-generation units are already on trial with American riders.

Entrosys is looking for another $1.5-million to put the system into full production, perhaps in partnership with a major motorcycle manufacturer which could assist with mass production and marketing.

Published on the web by Motoring on September 2, 2004.

@Jake,

I've seen that sir last 2 days ago in TV. This invention is really cool for all bikers. imagine, riding ur bike while having an aircondition no matter how far we could travel. For sure, many of us will be fasinated by these great invention. :C :punk: