Why Japan wants workers to step inside a ‘human refrigerator’ to beat the heat

A Japanese company has unveiled a human-sized cooling booth called the Do Hiemon Box to help workers escape the heat. Manufactured by SDRS and sold by Trusco Nakayama, the stainless-steel machine is designed to keep its interior at around 15 degrees Celsius while blowing cold air at 5 degrees Celsius. The booth, about the size of a standard vending machine, can be moved around using casters and requires only a power outlet for installation.

The Do Hiemon Box offers an alternative to cooling entire rooms, directing chilled air directly at the person inside. With energy consumption around half that of a spot air conditioner, the machine aims to reduce the risk of heatstroke among workers exposed to high temperatures. The product, launched in Japan in April, presents an innovative solution to the growing concern over extreme summer heat.