The Aviator Kit - powered by GILZ clean air technology.

Summary

Josh Keau, founder of Gills, LLC, created the world’s first helmet add-on kit designed to protect motorcyclists and other users from harmful airborne particulates. After struggling with respiratory issues due to urban smog and exhaust, Josh developed a solution that fits on any full-faced helmet, providing over 95% efficiency in filtering pollutants. The system also addresses issues like helmet fogging and cooling, while meeting DOT impact attenuation standards. Gills’ technology benefits not only motorcyclists but also wildland firefighters, military personnel, and others exposed to dangerous airborne particles, offering better air quality, comfort, and safety.

Takeaways

• 😀 Josh Keau is the founder of Gills, LLC and has a background in using motorcycles as his primary mode of transportation.
• 😀 Josh experienced chronic respiratory issues due to exposure to black exhaust, urban smog, and road dust while riding his motorcycle.
• 😀 Despite looking for a helmet with a built-in filtering system, Josh was surprised to find no such product available on the market.
• 😀 Motivated by his health issues, Josh decided to develop a helmet add-on kit to address air quality problems for motorcyclists and other professionals.
• 😀 Gills, LLC has developed the world's only helmet add-on kit that fits any full-face helmet, designed to improve air quality for riders and workers.
• 😀 The add-on kit targets harmful exposure to pollutants, which not only affect motorcyclists but also Wildland firefighters who lack proper PPE.
• 😀 Josh has firsthand experience working with military personnel in Afghanistan, observing the harmful exposure they face without adequate protective gear.
• 😀 The helmet add-on system is universal, tested for compatibility with different types of head protection, and ensures safety and health benefits.
• 😀 Through rigorous aerosol testing, the system has shown over 95% efficiency in filtering harmful particulates from the air.
• 😀 The system uses an off-the-shelf, NIOSH-approved filter, continuously providing airflow over the user's face while keeping out pollutants.
• 😀 The technology also addresses additional rider concerns, including defogging and cooling, while maintaining compliance with DOT impact attenuation standards.

Q & A

What motivated Josh Keau to create a helmet with a filtering system?

Josh was motivated to create a helmet with a filtering system after experiencing chronic respiratory issues from exposure to black exhaust, urban smog, and road dust while using a motorcycle as his primary mode of transportation.

Why was Josh surprised about the lack of helmets with built-in filtering systems?

Josh was surprised because he couldn't find any helmets with an integrated filtering system, despite the clear need for it due to the harmful air quality motorcyclists face.

What product did Josh eventually develop?

Josh developed a helmet add-on kit that fits any full-faced helmet and includes a filtering system to improve air quality for motorcyclists, wildland firefighters, and others in similar professions.

How does the helmet add-on kit improve air quality for its users?

The helmet add-on kit works by pulling in dirty air through a filter, which is an off-the-shelf NIOSH-approved filter. The system provides continuous airflow over the user's face, improving air quality and reducing exposure to harmful particulates.

What types of users could benefit from this product?

Motorcyclists, wildland firefighters, and military personnel who face exposure to harmful air quality can all benefit from the helmet add-on kit.

What testing has the helmet add-on undergone to ensure its effectiveness?

The helmet add-on has undergone rigorous aerosol testing, showing that it is over 95% efficient in keeping out harmful particulates.

Is the helmet add-on system compliant with safety standards?

Yes, the helmet add-on is designed to meet DOT (Department of Transportation) impact attenuation standards, ensuring it is safe and effective for users.

What additional features does the helmet add-on provide besides air filtration?

In addition to filtering harmful particulates, the helmet add-on also helps with defogging and provides some cooling benefits.

How is the filtering system integrated into the helmet?

The filtering system is integrated into the helmet via an add-on kit that fits onto any full-faced helmet, making it a universal solution for various head protection types.

What experience did Josh Keau have that influenced the development of this product?

Josh had experience working alongside military personnel in Afghanistan, where he witnessed the harmful exposure that both soldiers and wildland firefighters faced. This experience helped inspire the development of a solution to address similar air quality challenges.