An anti-pollution helmet developed by Delhi-based startup Shellios Technolabs can help two-wheeler riders breathe clean air. The founders of the company hit upon the idea on realizing the challenges faced by bikers during the air quality crisis that Delhi faces in the winter months. “We were disturbed by the health impacts of the air quality situation on the people on the roads, especially the millions of two wheeler riders who were having prolonged daily exposures and that too, to a double whammy of particulate matter and vehicular emissions in the air that they breathe,” said Amit Pathak, one of the founders.
The PUROS helmet is integrated with air purifying accessories which include the patented innovations of the startup—a brushless DC blower fan, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter membrane, electronic circuit, and micro-USB charging port integrated into the helmet. The purifying system set at the back of the helmet filters the air coming from outside, removing particulate matter and before it reaches the rider.
The 1.5-kg helmet ensures exposure reduction by more than 80% as measured using a controlled environment and following all mandatory standards stipulated by the government. The helmet has a Bluetooth-enabled app that lets the rider know when the helmet requires cleaning.
The startup received seed funding from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and was incubated at Science and Technology Entrepreneur Park (JSSATE-STEP) Noida.
Shellios Technolabs has signed commercialization deals with leading OEMs for the helmet. The product, at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) level 9, has been granted a utility patent and is now being sold across India priced at INR4500 ($56).
Image: Shellios Technolabs