Anyone who has experienced the joy of driving through a rainstorm with the sunroof open understands how airflow around the moving vehicles can keep him dry despite the exposure.
Anyone
who
has
experienced
the
joy
of
driving
through
a
rainstorm
with
the
sunroof
open
understands
how
airflow
around
the
moving
vehicles
can
keep
him
dry
despite
the
exposure
.
Now a similar principle is being employed to create an umbrella that protects people from the rain using nothing more than an invisible air force field.
Now
a
similar
principle
is
being
employed
to
create
an
umbrella
that
protects
people
from
the
rain
using
nothing
more
than
an
invisible
air
force
field
.
Air Umbrella, developed by a Chinese company and recently funded by Kickstarter, uses forced air rather than fabric to create a protective canopy that keeps people from getting wet in the rain.
Air
Umbrella
,
developed
by
a
Chinese
company
and
recently
funded
by
Kickstarter
,
uses
forced
air
rather
than
fabric
to
create
a
protective
canopy
that
keeps
people
from
getting
wet
in
the
rain
.
It's a clever concept and designers have done a good job of answering several questions about the product.
It
's
a
clever
concept
and
designers
have
done
a
good
job
of
answering
several
questions
about
the
product
.
For instance, the sound generated by the device is minimal, especially when compared to the pitter-patter of the falling rain.
For
instance
,
the
sound
generated
by
the
device
is
minimal
,
especially
when
compared
to
the
pitter-patter
of
the
falling
rain
.
It can create a protective canopy wide enough for two people to fit under and it performs well even in the heavy rain.
It
can
create
a
protective
canopy
wide
enough
for
two
people
to
fit
under
and
it
performs
well
even
in
the
heavy
rain
.
The air shield can be cut through by high winds, but given that regular umbrellas typically fold over in similar windy conditions, the air umbrella is still an upgrade.
The
air
shield
can
be
cut
through
by
high
winds
,
but
given
that
regular
umbrellas
typically
fold
over
in
similar
windy
conditions
,
the
air
umbrella
is
still
an
upgrade
.
A few concerns do remain, however.
A
few
concerns
do
remain
,
however
.
For instance, the battery life is only about 15-30 minutes depending on the model, so you'll still want to walk briskly to your next destination when it's raining.
For
instance
,
the
battery
life
is
only
about
15-30
minutes
depending
on
the
model
,
so
you
'll
still
want
to
walk
briskly
to
your
next
destination
when
it
's
raining
.
Also, while the air shield might keep the rain away from you, it's likely to splash all that blown-away water onto anyone else like a sprinkler.
Also
,
while
the
air
shield
might
keep
the
rain
away
from
you
,
it
's
likely
to
splash
all
that
blown-away
water
onto
anyone
else
like
a
sprinkler
.
So the device might draw the ire of anyone else walking with you, or any helpless bystanders.
So
the
device
might
draw
the
ire
of
anyone
else
walking
with
you
,
or
any
helpless
bystanders
.
There are currently three different types to choose from if you're interested in investing.
There
are
currently
three
different
types
to
choose
from
if
you
're
interested
in
investing
.
Air Umbrella-A is the lightest model, and is apparently designed specifically for females, according to the Chinese developers.
Air
Umbrella-A
is
the
lightest
model
,
and
is
apparently
designed
specifically
for
females
,
according
to
the
Chinese
developers
.
It is about 12 inches in length and weighs a little over a pound, and it runs for 15 minutes per charge.
It
is
about
12
inches
in
length
and
weighs
a
little
over
a
pound
,
and
it
runs
for
15
minutes
per
charge
.
Air Umbrella-B measures nearly 20 inches long and weighs 1.7 pounds, and lasts 30 minutes per charge.
Air
Umbrella-B
measures
nearly
20
inches
long
and
weighs
1.7
pounds
,
and
lasts
30
minutes
per
charge
.
Finally, Air Umbrella-C also lasts 30 minutes, but is scalable between 20 and 32 inches depending on your needs.
Finally
,
Air
Umbrella-C
also
lasts
30
minutes
,
but
is
scalable
between
20
and
32
inches
depending
on
your
needs
.
Anyone who has experienced the joy of driving through a rainstorm with the sunroof open understands how airflow around the moving vehicles can keep him dry despite the exposure. Now a similar principle is being employed to create an umbrella that protects people from the rain using nothing more than an invisible air force field.  Air Umbrella, developed by a Chinese company and recently funded by Kickstarter, uses forced air rather than fabric to create a protective canopy that keeps people from getting wet in the rain.  It's a clever concept and designers have done a good job of answering several questions about the product. For instance, the sound generated by the device is minimal, especially when compared to the pitter-patter of the falling rain. It can create a protective canopy wide enough for two people to fit under and it performs well even in the heavy rain. The air shield can be cut through by high winds, but given that regular umbrellas typically fold over in similar windy conditions, the air umbrella is still an upgrade.  A few concerns do remain, however. For instance, the battery life is only about 15-30 minutes depending on the model, so you'll still want to walk briskly to your next destination when it's raining. Also, while the air shield might keep the rain away from you, it's likely to splash all that blown-away water onto anyone else like a sprinkler. So the device might draw the ire of anyone else walking with you, or any helpless bystanders.  There are currently three different types to choose from if you're interested in investing. Air Umbrella-A is the lightest model, and is apparently designed specifically for females, according to the Chinese developers. It is about 12 inches in length and weighs a little over a pound, and it runs for 15 minutes per charge. Air Umbrella-B measures nearly 20 inches long and weighs 1.7 pounds, and lasts 30 minutes per charge. Finally, Air Umbrella-C also lasts 30 minutes, but is scalable between 20 and 32 inches depending on your needs.