Cyber Week Sale! 50% Off All Access

This Crazy Contraption Straps Your Head to an Airline Seat for Better Sleep Want better sleep when traveling? A Finnish startup wants you to try strapping your head to your headrest.

By Geoff Weiss

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

korvalas via Vimeo
Relax Ally

How many times have you tried to fall asleep on a plane or train and, well, never mind. Let's be serious: You either snap awake with an aching neck or wind up drooling all over the person sitting next to you.

Increasingly cramped airline seating has spawned a cottage industry of wacky inventions aimed to help business travelers get some much-coveted shut-eye. One such contraption is the Relax Ally, a sleep mask attached to a strap that fastens around airplane, train, bus and car seats in order to prevent passengers' heads from snapping around while they're dozing off, reports Mail Online.

Yes, your head is strapped to and held in place against a headrest. What happens during turbulence or an accident, we're not so sure.

Related: Flying Solo? App Lets You Chat With Perfect Strangers on Flights

The patent-pending device comes care of Finnish company Active Ally Oy, which was founded in 2012, and is hosting a 100,000-Euro crowdfunding campaign. Sixteen percent of the campaign has been funded with 41 days to go -- though an Indiegogo campaign last year exceeded its $5,000 goal.

Related: Hate Flying? This Dreamy (or Dorky) Virtual Reality Helmet Could Help You Escape the Experience.

Consumers from 20 countries have already purchased the roughly $30 device and retailers like QVC have expressed interest, said CEO Lasse Korvala. Additional funds would be put toward developing a full family of products -- including a Relax Ally sleeping cap for children.

Korvala says that Relax Ally's health benefits are matched by its potential marketing powers. Not only does the product allow for uninterrupted slumber, he said, but prevents "micro-trauma" to the neck and shoulders. Furthermore, he envisions working alongside major brands like Coca-Cola, Lufthansa, Volkswagen and Marimekko to plaster their logos atop the Relax Ally masks.

One thing's for certain: you're a lot less likely to wind up in an epic in-air brawl using this head strap thing compared to some other bizzare travel gadgets we've heard about lately.

Related: Press Snooze? You Lose.

Geoff Weiss

Former Staff Writer

Geoff Weiss is a former staff writer at Entrepreneur.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

Another '30 Under 30' Recipient Was Arrested For Fraud—And She's Not the Only One. Here Are 6 Other Former Honorees Who Turned Out to Be Felons.

From promising prodigies to notorious felons, these are the most infamous former "30 Under 30" honorees who went from celebrated entrepreneurs to convicted criminals.

Growing a Business

Who Shapes a Brand — The Leader or the Audience? Here's What Really Determines Success.

Great brands thrive at the crossroads of leadership vision and audience engagement, balancing strategic direction with real-time feedback to stay authentic, relevant and trusted.

Growing a Business

How to Eliminate Unnecessary Tasks and Focus on What Really Matters

Hack away at the unessential and reclaim your time.

Growing a Business

How to Build a Winning Marketing Strategy That Sets Your Startup Apart

This guide outlines key strategies for startups to craft compelling narratives and effective marketing plans to overcome challenges and achieve long-term success.