Indian traffic police get AC helmets: How do they work?

India is sizzling hot these days.

And people are coming up with new and innovative ways to beat the heat.

Several police departments in India, for example, are now using air-conditioned (AC) helmets to help on duty personnel remain cool.

But what do we know about the helmets? How do they work?

Let’s take a closer look:

According to CNBC, the AC helmets have been made by Jarsh Safety – a start-up in Telangana’s Hyderabad.

The ActivCooling Helmets come with an inbuilt AC and weigh 200 grams. For the wearer, they can bring down the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees Celsius.

Powered via a rechargeable Li-ion battery, they remain operational for up to 10 hours.

They cost between Rs 13,000 and Rs 17,000.

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CNBC reported that the helmets have been certified by, among others, the ISO and the OHS.

The company says its low-power application negates risk of failure or short-circuits.

Hindustan Times reported that the helmets have vents through which the cool air flows. They also have a plastic shield that guards the eyes from the sun.

The battery pack that powers the helmet is on the wearer’s waist. When the battery is low, a red light signals that the helmet needs to be charged.

At least four helmets were given to on duty personnel at Hazratganj’s Atal Chowk intersection in Uttar Pradesh last week – the second such trial in the state.

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The police say at least 500 more helmets could be procured after a month-long trial.

“The number will be decided by the higher authorities,” ADCP (traffic) Ajay Kumar told the newspaper.

“The weight of the helmet is half of that of a normal helmet and our cops felt very comfortable,” added the ADCP.

“Despite being comfortable for the user, the helmet will be checked for any health risk as one part of the body is cool and the rest is exposed to heat. We’ll examine if it has any negative effects,” Kumar added.

Trials are also on in Bhubaneswar, Vadodara and other cities.

As per CNBC, over 500 such helmets are already being used by police in Vadodara.

The outlet quoted Jyoti Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Traffic, Vadodara city,  as saying, “We are even thinking of having AC jackets for the police. We have invited a few manufacturers who are having AC jackets. So if AC helmets would work, we may even get AC jackets for them.”

Kaustubh Kaundinya, co-founder and CEO of the company, told CNBC the helmets are “primarily meant for temporary use whenever they’re facing this extra heat."

“The average lead time is about 30 days. We are at a small scale right now, so our production facilities are limited. We are looking to raise funds to expand the production facility and our product line,” Kaundinya added.

Hindustan Times reported that the firm is in expansion talks with some investors.

Such AC helmets are also being used abroad.

In 2023, Louisiana State University introduced AC helmets for its football team, as per Marca.com.

The helmets provided air flow to the athletes for five hours – ensuring players experienced comfort through the entire game.

‘Louisiana State University continues going above and beyond to ensure elite on-field performance," local journalist Zack Nagy told the website.

“Utilizing advancements in helmet technology is another piece this program has added. The ‘air conditioned’ helmets have received rave reviews from the football team.”

With inputs from agencies