Nanjing startup successfully crowdfunds invisible 'Air Umbrella'

Postgraduate students from the Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics have invented an invisible Air Umbrella (you can tell they're not marketing students because they could've named it the Airbrella) that uses jet airflow to protect you from the falling rain.

Taking in air from the bottom of the umbrella and shooting it out from the top, raindrops are propelled away from the Air Umbrella users and, unfortunately, right onto any innocent bystanders who might be standing near you.

Besides the collateral damage, there are also a few other problems with the Air Umbrella we've spotted:

1. It's expensive. (USD 88-108)
2. It's heavy. (850g)
3. It doesn't work well in heavy rain.
4. It doesn't work well in light rain.
5. It doesn't work well in windy rain.
6. Its battery only lasts 15-30 minutes.

Despite our misgivings, however, Air Umbrella have shown that there are plenty of other people around the world interested in purchasing their product.

The team's crowdfunding campaign on American website Kickstarter.com has shot past its USD 10,000 goal to raise over USD 85,000 — and still with four days to go.

If you're interested in getting your hands on one, the final product should be shipped by December next year.

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