This video reviews the Hövding airbag helmet, a unique neck-worn device designed as an alternative to traditional bicycle helmets. It monitors rider movements over 200 times per second using gyroscopes and accelerometers, deploying an airbag around the head via a helium charge upon detecting a crash. Despite selling over 300,000 units between 2011 and 2023 and some studies suggesting superior protection to conventional helmets, the Hövding faced significant controversy. Issues included its €300 single-use cost, instances of failing to deploy (27 cases leading to injury reported by the Swedish Consumer Agency), accidental deployments, and a scandal involving allegations that the company knew of design flaws. While praised by some users for comfort, aesthetics, and perceived safety benefits (including a trauma surgeon's positive account), it was never approved for sale in the US by the CPSC. Ultimately, a sales ban and recall by the Swedish Consumer Agency in late 2023 led to Hövding's bankruptcy. The presenter tests the helmet, experiencing both a failure to deploy and two successful, impactful deployments, leading to a nuanced view of its potential effectiveness versus its inherent risks and eventual market failure.
The Rise and Fall of the Hövding Airbag Helmet: Innovation, Controversy, and Real-World Testing
00:00:03 Introduction to Hövding: The Hövding is an airbag helmet worn as a collar, using sensors (gyroscopes, accelerometers) to detect a crash and deploy an airbag around the head. Over 300,000 were sold (2011-2023) before a ban led to the company's bankruptcy.
00:01:17 How It Works: A "black box" houses electronics, a USBC charge port, and records crash data. The helmet activates with a clasp, running a diagnostic. It inflates using a helium charge.
00:01:55 App and Functionality: While an app existed for features like emergency contacts, it's now defunct due to server issues. However, the helmet's core deployment function remains operational if the diagnostic check passes.
00:02:42 Cost and Single Use: The Hövding cost €300 and was designed for single deployment, after which a new one had to be purchased (though a crash replacement discount was offered).
00:03:18 Origin Story (2005): Invented by Swedish industrial design students Anna Halped and Theres Alstein, who sought a comfortable, "invisible" helmet for those disliking traditional designs, anticipating future helmet mandates.
00:04:04 Market Success & Appeal: Launched in 2011, it sold widely, appealing to style-conscious users. Benefits included comfort, no "helmet hair," portability, and warmth.
00:05:31 Claimed Safety Advantages: Studies (e.g., Stanford) suggested it could offer up to 8x better protection than traditional helmets if deployed correctly, with better shock absorption and reduced rotational forces.
00:05:51 Positive User Experiences: Many users reported successful deployments saving them from injury, including a trauma surgeon who found its protection "an order of magnitude better" than a standard helmet, covering more of the head, face, and neck.
00:08:00 Regulatory Landscape: Approved in the EU as "equivalent to a bicycle helmet" (PPE), but consistently denied sale in the USA by the CPSC due to differing test requirements (e.g., anvil impacts, positional stability).
A 2014 French consumer report found it underperformed in certain drop tests against hard, narrow surfaces.
A key flaw was its potential inability to detect sudden side impacts without preceding "crash-like" movements.
00:09:50 Deployment Failures: The Swedish Consumer Agency documented 27 instances by 2023 where the Hövding failed to deploy, resulting in head injuries.
00:10:29 Accidental Deployments: A common issue where the airbag deployed unintentionally (e.g., bending down quickly), resulting in a costly €300 replacement.
Late 2022: A scandal emerged from a secret recording suggesting Hövding knew of a design flaw.
Nov 1, 2023: The Swedish Consumer Agency imposed a temporary sales freeze on the Hövding 3.
Dec 15, 2023: The agency issued a full recall.
Dec 22, 2023: Hövding declared bankruptcy, citing loss of confidence and sales.
00:12:40 Post-Bankruptcy User Community: Despite the company's demise, a dedicated user base continues to use Hövding helmets, sharing firmware, troubleshooting tips, and finding alternative apps for crash detection.
An attempt to trigger it by aggressively picking up a child dummy failed (not a crash motion).
00:15:11 A first attempt to trigger it by being hit with a basketball failed.
00:15:20 A second basketball hit successfully deployed the airbag, described as an intense experience that fully enveloped the head and restricted vision.
00:16:37 Staged Bike Crash Test: The presenter intentionally crashed a bike, and the Hövding successfully deployed again, noting the extreme tightness around the neck.
00:18:02 Final Reflections: The presenter describes deployment as a "spiritual experience." While acknowledging its potential for superior protection if it deploys correctly, the risks of non-deployment or accidental deployment, especially for mainstream users expecting flawless operation, are significant. The presenter's initial skepticism shifted to a belief in its potential effectiveness after experiencing it.