Japanese engineering firms have introduced a mobile 15°C cooling unit known as the Do Hiemon Box to help individuals cope with severe summer heatwaves, according to manufacturer SDRS and supplier Trusco. Priced at 1.5 million yen (approximately £6,862), the 7-foot-tall stainless steel booth targets rapid thermal relief through targeted airflow directed at the head, neck, shoulders, and back.
Design and Operation of the Do Hiemon Box
Manufactured through a collaboration between a specialist vending machine maker and a steel toolbox company, the Do Hiemon Box measures 7 feet tall and nearly 4 feet deep. Users sit on a built-in chair inside the unit, facing outward through a tall glass panel while internal jets blast chilled air. According to SDRS, the system reduces body temperature within five minutes and operates at a constant 15°C, shutting down automatically after a 20-minute cycle.
The unit features three adjustable settings for airflow angle and temperature. Operating costs are estimated at 16 yen (about 7 pence) per hour, making the device more energy-efficient than standard air conditioning units in Japan, according to SDRS. Mounted on wheels, the booth can be relocated and utilized in various environments.
Deployment and Public Access
Supplier Trusco released the product for sale in April, following government heatstroke warnings prompted by 38°C temperatures across Japan earlier in the year. SDRS reports that a 10-minute session inside the unit can alleviate fatigue caused by temperature stress. One unit has been donated to Maebashi City Hall in Gunma Prefecture, where visitors can access it free of charge during operating hours.
European and Domestic Heatwaves
While the cooling units remain in Japan, European nations are facing severe summer temperatures and concurrent wildfires. Meanwhile, Spain has placed Madrid and Avila under national emergency warnings due to extreme fire activity. In the UK, temperatures are forecast to reach 33°C in certain regions, coinciding with ongoing drought declarations and localized wildfires.
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