HUBBALLI: For many bike and moped riders in Hubballi, wearing a helmet is a daily ritual. Yet, how often do these essential safety devices get a proper clean? The reality is, most regular riders wear the same unkempt, often shabby-looking helmet for years, largely due to the difficulty of cleaning the inner sponge material. Manual cleaning rarely yields satisfactory results, leading to a common problem: dirty helmets can cause scalp infections, itchiness, and other skin-related issues.
Addressing this overlooked hygiene concern, two innovative young men from Hubballi, Abhishek Vanjeri and Mahantesh Madiwalar, have developed a pioneering machine designed to thoroughly clean helmets. This innovative device utilizes ultraviolet (UV) rays and a special foam to sanitize helmets, promising a germ-free and shiny helmet in just three minutes.
Recently, the duo installed their first helmet disinfectant machine in Hubballi, marking what they believe is the first such installation in India.
Speaking to Hubli EXPRESS, Abhishek Vanjeri, a second-year engineering student at Jain College, and Mahantesh Madiwalar, a BCA graduate in Computer Applications from PC Jabin, revealed that their idea wasn’t entirely novel. They discovered the existence of similar machines through Instagram Reels, noting their operation in countries like China, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Inspired by these examples, they embarked on a six-month journey of meticulous programming, material sourcing, and indigenous assembly to create their own version.
Their dedication has paid off. The machine is currently installed at an IOCL petrol bunk located opposite the Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner’s Office, and the response from users has been encouraging.
The machine offers two cleaning options: with foam and without foam. Both methods primarily leverage UV rays to sanitize the entire helmet, including the inner padding.
Explaining the process for foam cleaning, Abhishek stated, “First, we manually wash the helmet using foam. Then, it’s placed inside the machine, where UV rays are used, and a lab-approved herbal medicine with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties is sprayed. For the ‘without foam’ option, the manual cleaning step is omitted, but the UV and herbal spray process remains the same.” He highlighted that the helmet is ready for immediate use after the three-minute cleaning cycle.
The service is priced at Rs 50 for foam cleaning and Rs 30 for cleaning without foam. Abhishek and Mahantesh have ambitious plans to sell their machines and launch a franchise-based business. They have already received expressions of interest from various parts of the state, signaling a promising start to their entrepreneurial venture.
Jayathirth Katti, a young BJP leader who inaugurated the facility recently, lauded the efforts of Abhishek and Mahantesh. He remarked, “This is a truly excellent idea with immense growth potential. If these machines are installed in IT tech parks, metro parking lots, malls, or shopping complexes, people would undoubtedly avail themselves of the benefits.”
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