Air Umbrella: The invisible umbrella that protects you from the rain

Lindsay POUI-DI

22 Oct 2014

mis à jour le 4 May 2019 à 06:27

Umbrella have always protected us from the rain but closing it can result in unnecessary splashes. Here's where a revolutionary new device comes into the picture.

In Singapore, where rain threatens to ruin all forms of plans without caution, a handy umbrella is a constant in our bags. It being such a common and fool proof product, never did we think it had room for re-interpretation.

However, Chuan Wang, a Chinese inventor from Nanjing, had quite an innovative idea in mind when he created the Air umbrella prototype. Instead of fabric, the umbrella uses air to protect users from the rain.

In contrast to an ordinary umbrella, the Air umbrella is divided into 3 main parts, the controller to switch the device on and off, the lithium battery that powers a fan and the motor which controls the air mechanism on top. So once switched on, the device channels air out the top and blows away falling raindrops, thus creating an invisible cover above the user, essentially protecting them from rain.

The prototype comes in three versions:

Umbrella A, for women, is 30 centimeters in length and 500 grams in weight with 15 minutes of battery life; Umbrella B, is 50 centimeters in length and 800 grams in weight with 30 minute battery life; and Umbrella C, is scalable from 50 centimeters when retracted to 80 centimeters when extended. It's about 850 grams with a 30 minute battery life.

It is a clever and original idea, but maybe not completely convenient yet. Mainly because of its short battery life and relatively heavy weight. The product is still in the research and development stage and the inventor is running a Kickstarter campaign until the 24th of October 2014, head over here to help fund the project.