In the face of increasingly frequent heat waves and summers that constantly exceed the usual thresholds of thermal comfort, technology manufacturers are betting on an unusual and increasingly popular solution: the “air conditioner” worn around the neck, a device that promises direct cooling on the body.
Among the best-known such devices is a model recently launched by Sony in international markets, billed as a “personal air conditioner” worn under clothes. Unlike necklace-type fans, the device does not produce airflow, but uses a metal plate in contact with the skin at the nape of the neck to induce a quick cooling sensation, according to Forbes.
“For 2026, Sony has revised the neckband design and used new algorithms that could achieve a temperature two degrees lower than its predecessor”claims the cited publication.
The technology behind it is the Peltier effect, a thermoelectric principle long used in industry that allows heat transfer without a compressor or refrigerants. Thus, the device acts locally, on the area of contact with the skin, reducing the sensation of thermal discomfort in the neck and upper back area.
The manufacturers claim that the new generation comes with important improvements, including higher cooling efficiency, an expanded contact surface and sensors that automatically adjust intensity according to temperature and humidity. In addition, some models can also work as heating systems in the cold season.
However, experts draw attention to the fact that such devices do not cool the surrounding air, but only the user’s body, being especially useful when traveling, at the office or in spaces without adequate air conditioning.
