The "Breathe Air" helmet may bear an uncanny resemblance to those super-powered helmets worn by Matt Trakker & co., but the Brunel University student designer insists it has a function other than looking badass; namely, to help cyclists breath more easily.

According to Pannell, the helmet effectively filters out nasty particles that may irritate hay fever and asthma sufferers by covering the cyclist's nose and mouth with a shield--a shield that happens to resemble a devious grin if you look at it closely.

Anyway, filtered air circulates behind said shield and the used air is expelled through a plastic tube when the cyclist exhales. It will not feature Vader-like breathing sounds, but according to Stephen Green, lecturer at Brunel University's school of engineering and design, it will "provide considerably more reassurance to people whilst cycling." Good enough, I suppose.

No word yet on if or when the helmet will be manufactured, but if it does see the assembly line, Pannell estimates it will retail for around £100 ($201.66).

[Via Lancashire Evening Post]