As heat waves become more common and severe worldwide, researchers and companies are exploring innovative ways to help people stay safe in rising temperatures. While air-conditioners remain the most common cooling solution, a Japanese company has introduced a unique alternative, a walk-in cooling booth called the “human refrigerator” that can cool a person within minutes.What Is the Do Hiemon Box?The Do Hiemon Box is an stainless-steel refrigerated booth designed to accommodate a single person. Resembling a large refrigerator, the unit is built specifically to provide quick cooling during extreme heat conditions.Inside the booth, users can sit on a chair while the cooling system begins working. The internal temperature is maintained at 15°C, creating a comfortable environment for rapid heat relief.How Does the Cooling Booth Work?Once a person sits inside, the booth directs 5°C chilled air toward key areas such as the head, neck, shoulders, and back. These areas play an important role in regulating body temperature.The targeted airflow helps cool the body faster and provides almost immediate relief from intense heat. The system is designed to deliver focused cooling rather than cooling an entire room.Energy-Efficient Alternative to Traditional CoolingAccording to reports, the Do Hiemon Box is designed to be energy efficient. SDRS claims that the system consumes around half the electricity used by a conventional spot air conditioner.The booth comes with three cooling and airflow settings, allowing users to adjust the intensity according to their comfort level.Safety Features and AvailabilityFor safety, the cooling booth automatically shuts down after 20 minutes to prevent excessive cooling. The company has reportedly installed the machines at several public locations across Japan since its launch in April.The standard version of the Do Hiemon Box is priced at approximately 1.5 million Japanese yen, which is around Rs 9 lakh (before taxes).[With TOI inputs]