14 DAY TRIAL // Umbrellas have been a staple of human society ever since well before modern civilization arose. In fact, depictions of umbrellas and parasols date all the way back to Ancient China and Persia. However, some people believe it's time the concept went through an overhaul.
A team of Chinese designers has come up with an umbrella which instead of metal sticks and impermeable fabric or nylon uses the air itself to keep rain away from you.
It sounds like something out of science fiction, especially since visibly heavy rain will make it seem as though you're holding up a forcefield generator, but it's a neat idea.
Nevertheless, it's the real thing. The object which vaguely resembles a flashlight or microphone can do exactly what the designers claim it can.
The anti-rain air forcefield
The idea is for a rod-like object to use a motor and fan to create a cycle of air flowing out of the tip in every direction, forming a protective layer.
The umbrella is currently good enough for two people, although it will probably raise some disbelieving eyebrows from everyone else given what it looks like.
It will also probably splatter them with the exact water they were trying to avoid, unless the air umbrella is really awesome and somehow redirects the drops downward instead of radially.
Still, the idea has a lot of merit, even though it's reliant on a lithium battery to keep the device running, battery that probably won't live through more than a few rainfalls. Fortunately, these batteries can be recharged easily enough.
It's interesting to note that the first air umbrella was made back in 2010 but never actually made it to the market.
Availability
It's not assured, since the inventors have to raise enough money to get their plans going first. The Kickstarter crowdfunding website is being used for this. Hopefully the Air umbrella will really pan out.
There are several models by the way, or there will be. One of them, with a foot in length (30 cm) and a weight of 1.1 pounds (500 grams), has a battery life of only 15 minutes and is intended for women.
The second one, with a length of 1.64 feet / 50 cm, has a weight of 1.76 pounds / 800 grams and a battery life of 30 minutes. Finally, the third umbrella, while providing the same battery life, has an extendable length from 1.64 feet / 50 cm to 2.62 feet / 80 cm and a weight of 1.87 pounds / 850 grams. The minimum pledge in exchange for an Air umbrella is $108 / €85 with December shipment. Retail availability won't come until 2015 though, and the price will be higher.