Here in Britain, where Sanitarium Towers are based, wet weather is a fact of life; and during these more colder months as we approach the end of the year, not one day goes by each week where anyone going outside is liable to get soaked. However, if one goes out with an umbrella this time of the year as would be a sensible solution, one also often has to contend with heavy winds, which can blow an umbrella out of the holder's hands; or turn cheaper umbrellas inside out, perhaps even breaking them.
An innovative new Kickstarter project is offering an interesting solution to these wet weather woes. Called the Air Umbrella, this unusual device aims to use air as a forcefield to push air away from the user, replacing the need for a canopy altogether. The device also portends to be safer than a traditional umbrella, due to not requiring any sort of metal spokes which always present a risk to the eyes of taller individuals.
Image courtesy Air Umbrella's Kickstarter page
The Air Umbrella consists of a handle, at the top of which houses not a canopy, but a controller and motor to suck in air and blow it out again at high speed. When lifted above the user's head - the device's handle is extendable, so can be adjusted to a comfortable length - the blast of air creates an invisible dome that pushes the rain away. The effectiveness of this technology is yet to be seen as the device has not yet reached the hans of consumers or independent technology - but should it work effectively enough, it should hopefully counteract the silly feeling some people, particularly those obsessed with fashion, may feel holding an umbrella that's just a handle. The device receives its power through a rechargeable lithium-ion battery held within the handle part of the device.
Sadly for those planning to stay outside for long periods, current specs list the Air Umbrella as lasting just 30 minutes on a single charge, which may well just be a dealbreaker. If you've already decided that this sounds like the device for you, however, you can still get your hands on one by pledging $118 (£74) plus $15 (£9) for international shipping. With an expected December shipping date, the Air Umbrella is also releasing just early enough to be an ideal Christmas gift as well - and hey, it's only going to get colder and wetter by then, so there's no reason for it not to be appreciated.
