Japan Unveils Human-Sized Refrigerator for Heatwave Relief

Japanese industrial supplier TRUSCO Nakayama and refrigeration specialist Sanden Retail Systems have developed the Do Hiemon Box, a portable cooling booth engineered to provide immediate relief from extreme summer temperatures. This human-sized refrigerator operates by maintaining an internal ambient temperature of 15 degrees Celsius while directing 5-degree chilled air towards the user's head, neck, and shoulders. This targeted airflow is designed to combat heat exhaustion symptoms within approximately 10 minutes.

To address the physiological risks associated with rapidly cooling the human body after severe heat exposure, the engineering team integrated three distinct cooling modes and an automatic shut-off timer. This timer activates after 20 minutes, ensuring the body can safely adapt to temperature shifts before the user re-enters the heat. The booth stands two meters tall and features an IPX3-rated stainless-steel exterior lined with polystyrene insulation for optimal thermal efficiency.

The development of the Do Hiemon Box is a direct response to Japan's increasingly severe climate conditions. In a recent season, over 100,000 individuals were hospitalized due to heatstroke, highlighting the urgent need for effective countermeasures. In response to these alarming hospitalization rates, local governments and corporations have sought aggressive solutions. One of the initial cooling booths was donated to Maebashi City Hall, offering free public use during business hours to protect vulnerable residents from the extreme heat.