Indian traffic police beat the heat with air-conditioned helmets

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a bid to combat the escalating heat due to climate change, traffic police in India are adopting a novel approach. Vadodara city traffic police have introduced air-conditioned (AC) helmets, designed and manufactured by Telangana-based startup, Jarsh Safety.

Kaustubh Kaundinya, Co-founder and CEO of Jarsh Safety, in an interview with CNBC-TV18, said, “This is primarily meant for temporary use whenever they’re facing this extra heat.”

Other police commissions, including Kanpur and Lucknow, are now adopting the initiative.

Jarsh Safety’s product, ActivCooling Helmets, comes equipped with patented ActivCooling technology. The inbuilt AC, weighing 200 grams, reduces the temperature by 10-15 degrees Celsius. The device, powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery, can operate for up to 10 hours.

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Kaundinya also discussed the cost and production time of these helmets. “The average lead time is about 30 days. We are at a small scale right now, so our production facilities are limited. We are looking to raise funds to expand the production facility and our product line,” he said.

The price point ranges between ₹13,000 to ₹17,000. “We are not essentially selling a helmet, but we’re selling a portable ventilation solution. So the price is comparable to having an air conditioner,” Kaundinya added.

The helmets have been certified in four different certifications — European, Indian, ISO, and OHS. According to the company, the low-power application eliminates the risks of mechanical failures or short circuits. The company is in talks with a few investors regarding expansion.

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The Vadodara city traffic police have distributed over 450 such helmets so far.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Traffic, Vadodara city, Jyoti Patel, expressed enthusiasm about the new gadget and said “We are even thinking of having AC jackets for the police. We have invited a few manufacturers who are having AC jackets. So if AC helmets would work, we may even get AC jackets for them.”

The scheme is now being rolled out in other cities. Kanpur city police have distributed seven AC helmets from Jarsh Safety and Lucknow police are set to order 500 helmets for a month-long trial. The trial will decide if the product can be formally introduced.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow