With temperatures globally trending warmer each year, that heat can take quite a toll on professions that rely heavily on exterior labor, like the construction industry. There are many products available currently to help keep you cool on the jobsite, but the best may still be yet to come.
After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Sony is moving forward with plans to release a pocket-sized “air conditioner” that promises to lower your temperature by 23F or raise it by 14F, according to engadget.
The Reon Pocket, as the device is called, is designed to fit inside of the pocket of specifically designed t-shirts and sits near the back of the neck. The device is small enough for clothing to be worn over top of the shirt without creating a large bulge.
via Sony
It won’t push air through the device as a normal air-conditioner would, as it instead uses the Peltier effect, which raises or lowers temperature though electrical currents.
The device will be controlled through a mobile app through a Bluetooth signal. While a single charge on the system will keep the Bluetooth module running for up to 24 hours, engadget later determined that the device would actually only allow cooling or heating for less than two hours on a charge. The on-board battery charges through a USB-C connection.
Expected ship dates for the first batch of Reon Pockets is March of 2020, but that’s only good news for those living in Japan. There is no word yet on release dates outside of Japan. The price seems to be reasonable at a converted $117, as well.
There are a couple different “cooling” jackets available for construction workers currently, most notably Makita’s Cordless Fan Jacket (Amazon link) or Zippkool’s battery powered cooling jacket. Both of those jackets actually inflate the jacket with air through fans, giving the wearer a cooling effect.
For more information about the Reon Pocket, check out the video below:
Full story: Sony is crowdfunding a wearable 'air conditioner' (updated) | engadget
