Now, an inflatable collar which can replace helmet!

Designers in Sweden have made the 'Hvvding' helmet which is an airbag 'collar' that springs into action within 0.1 seconds, covering the skull and neck of a rider in the event of an impact, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

Roughly translated into English as the "Chieftain" -- the Hvvding was designed over some six years by two industrial design students. Designer Anna Haupt said the airbag would hit the shops across Northern Europe and the UK next year. It will first cost around 260 pounds but she believes a lot of people have been crying out for alternative to the helmet.

In fact, the designers developed a system using a collar containing a folded airbag which is only inflates when sensors inside detect a sudden jolt. A small helium gas cylinder inflates the collar in just 0.1 seconds and it remains inflated for several seconds after impact. The device has been 'tuned' by recreating hundreds of accidents using crash test dummies and riders.

Haupt said: "The airbag is designed as a hood that surrounds and protects the rider's head. The release mechanism is controlled by sensors that detects the abnormal motion of the cyclist in an accident."

The inventors say that the colour of the collar can even be changed to match whatever outfit the cyclist is wearing. The hood itself is made from a durable nylon fabric that can withstand the scraping against the road.

She said: "A lot of people don't like a bicycle helmet because of the way it looks and what it does to your hairstyle once you have taken it off. We wanted to make something to keep people safe and at the same time answer these questions for people, keeping them safe but looking good."