Refrigerators for humans and air-conditioned jackets: The gadgets trying to beat the heat
The climate crisis has led to more frequent heat waves worldwide. In response, the market is filling with innovative gadgets, ranging from air-conditioned clothing and portable fans to specialized cooling cabins.
The climate crisis has made summer hotter than ever, with heat waves hitting countries from Europe to Asia with increasing frequency. Since it is impossible to stay indoors with air conditioning at all times, and traditional hand fans are no longer effective, people are turning to creative solutions to survive temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius—from air-conditioned clothing to hands-free umbrellas and refrigerators for humans.
These cooling products are receiving support from governments and employers who view them as essential tools. For instance, a state-owned power company in Hubei province, China, distributes belt-mounted mini-fans to employees, while Japan’s Ministry of the Environment promotes umbrellas to reduce heat stress. According to online retail giant Rakuten, the local market for "anti-heat" products has grown sixfold over the last six years, now offering approximately 800,000 items.
Cooling Technologies
A prime example of advanced technology is a hand fan equipped with a metal plate that uses semiconductor principles and electric currents to create a cooling sensation, similar to pressing a cold drink can against one's neck. Lee Ju-young, an expert at Seoul National University, explains that the surge in sales is driven by cheaper, more efficient motors and batteries, making powerful cooling devices accessible to almost everyone.
Air-Conditioned Clothing
Japan is the birthplace of ventilation jackets, a product developed in 2004 by former Sony engineer Hiroshi Ichigaya. The market has since expanded significantly. Japanese firms now produce vests featuring the same metal plates used in hand fans, while the Chinese delivery platform Meituan provides its couriers in Chongqing with "air-conditioned jackets." In South Korea, local authorities have begun equipping street cleaners with high-visibility neon cooling vests.
Researcher Kim In-soo has designed a vest for agricultural workers using "vortex tube" technology, where a compressor forces cold, dry air through thin tubes distributed across the garment. Cooling scarves, priced at $35, have also seen massive demand, with 60,000 units sold this year alone.
Refrigerators and Hands-Free Umbrellas
Among the more unconventional inventions is a refrigerator cabin designed for construction workers. The unit is set to 15 degrees Celsius, with a 5-degree cold air flow upon entry, which is claimed to lower body temperature within ten minutes. The cabin is portable and priced at $9,500, with 200 units sold so far.
However, experts warn that these gadgets lose effectiveness as temperatures rise. "When temperatures climb above 33 degrees Celsius, the fans only disperse hot air," warns Lee. In such conditions, traditional methods—drinking plenty of water, keeping feet cool, and using umbrellas for shade—remain the most reliable tactics.
