A typical fall, a Helite spokesperson explained, takes 400 milliseconds. Using gyroscopes and accelerometers, the Hip'Air' can detect a fall within 200 milliseconds of it beginning. The belt will then begin to deploy its built-in airbag, which takes another 80 milliseconds.

Our managing editor Terrence O'Brien took a tumble for the greater good and the Hip'Air worked as advertised. It launches in Europe this March, followed by the US in September. At approximately $790 (plus $50 for each one-use gas canister), that's a lot of money to pay for peace of mind.

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