Welcome to the first article in a hopefully weekly feature which we’re calling Techstarters. Through these articles the Gadget Helpline will introduce you to some of the ground-breaking and head-scratching technical discoveries hoping to gain financial backing on Kickstarter, Indiegogo and similar crowd-funding websites. In our inaugural edition we bring you the Air Umbrella.
Now seeking your support on Kickstarter, the Air Umbrella is a Chinese invention that reimagines rain protection for the 21st century by replacing the cumbersome canopy with a force field of air.
Graduates at the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics came up with the idea of blowing away a rainy day and have been developing their gadget over the past two years to the point where in July 2014 they had a potentially marketable product which has now exceeded its Kickstarter goal of $10k with well over $13k in pledges and intention of a full product launch in December 2015.
Resembling a shower head (or a detached Dalek limb) the Air Umbrella will remove the typical construction of what we know an umbrella to be – along with the risk of gouging out eyes of passers-by with those jutting out metal bits – and its innovative design will direct falling drops away from the wielder with a concentrated and continuous conical blast of air up to one metre wide.
The air is generated from a fast moving fan in the top of the handled device which contains its motor and a lithium battery which will last for 15 to 30 minutes depending on the model. Not long, but the maker addresses this in the Kickstarter FAQ, suggesting this product is best suited for short trips only.
There will be three models available for different types of users – Air umbrella-a is designed “for female” and features a 30 centimetre length, weighs 500 grams and has a 15 minutes battery life. Air umbrella-b follows at can be adjusted to a length of 50 centimetres and is heavier at 800 grams but retains power for 30 minutes. The third variation is Air umbrella-c which extends from 50 to 80 centimetres, weighs 850 grams with 30 minutes charge.
The final look for Air Umbrella is still being worked on along with power display function and power supply and continuing testing to better the product. Kickstarter starting pledges begin at as little as $1 for the thanks and feeling of self-pride. The next pledge is $88 and guarantees an Air Umbrella and charger with other options available up to orders of ten Air Umbrella units when they eventually start shipping next year.