airbag Archives

Motorcycle Airbags Could Be A Standard Feature Soon

Autoliv, a leading automotive safety company, has unveiled its revolutionary motorcycle airbag system, bringing hope for increased rider safety on the roads.

Autoliv set to introduce on-bike airbags soon.
the system works similarly to those used in modern cars.

In an exclusive interview with CycleWorld, Atsushi Ishii, Autoliv’s head of technology for mobile safety solutions, shed light on the cutting-edge project and the company’s vision for this life-saving technology.

The system’s components closely resemble those used in modern cars, comprising a crash sensor, detection Electronic Control Unit (ECU), harness, and airbag module. However, adapting these elements to motorcycles presented a unique challenge. Unlike cars with a crash deformation cell to absorb impact, motorcycles lack this feature, demanding exceptionally rapid triggering algorithms for the airbag.

Mounted below the handlebars, the motorcycle airbag utilizes an electrically-triggered chemical reaction to inflate swiftly, resembling the mechanisms found in car airbags. Currently, the focus of Autoliv’s airbag deployment is on scenarios where a car pulls out in front of a motorcycle, a common accident type with significant potential for safety improvements.

Addressing concerns about the limited use-case scenarios, Ishii emphasized that starting with the most common crash cases, even if they only account for 10% of all incidents, is crucial for saving lives.

He compared the evolution of car airbags, which initially were only on the steering wheel but now extend to various areas, providing comprehensive protection. Similarly, Autoliv envisions its motorcycle airbag technology to expand to other accident types like side impacts, lowsides, highsides, and more, eventually encompassing a broad range of crash scenarios.

During a showcase at EICMA, a motorcycle manufacturer questioned the pursuit of this technology, citing its limited applicability. Ishii’s response underscored the significance of saving lives, stating that while it may not cover all accidents, for those riders involved in head-on collisions, the airbag system could be the difference between life and death.

Autoliv’s commitment to rider safety is evident as they embark on this pioneering journey. By starting with scenarios offering the most immediate safety gains and gradually expanding to other crash types, the company aims to enhance motorcycle safety significantly.

Alpinestars Tech-Air Airbag System Now Available in Malaysia

Alpinestars Malaysia has taken rider safety to a whole new level with the launch of their highly anticipated Tech-Air Airbag System in the country.

This revolutionary airbag system aims to significantly reduce upper body injuries for motorcycle riders.
Sinar Puncak is the authorised distributor for Alpinestars range of products in Malaysia.

The highlight of the Tech-Air family is undoubtedly the Tech-Air 10, offering the broadest protection of any airbag system currently available on the market. With its comprehensive coverage of the shoulders, chest, hips, and full back, Tech-Air 10 is a race-oriented airbag designed for MotoGP class riders.

The system is equipped with 12 sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, ensuring rapid and precise deployment in case of an accident. Priced at RM 4,899 and available in sizes M to 2XL, Tech-Air 10 is simple to use – riders need only zip up the front and fasten the internal belt to activate the airbag system.

For those seeking a versatile airbag solution, the Tech-Air 5 fits the bill perfectly. Priced at RM2,999 and available in sizes S to 2XL, Tech-Air 5 features an active electronics system with 6 integrated sensors, employing AI-powered accident detection algorithms to deploy the airbag when necessary.

Offering comprehensive protection for shoulders, chest, ribs, and full back, Tech-Air 5 is ideal for touring, urban commuting, and racing, with two selectable modes – RACE and STREET.

Meanwhile, the Tech-Air 3 serves as a street-oriented over-jacket airbag system, designed to be worn over or under a rider’s jacket. With its automatic activation and connectivity to the motorcycle’s battery through internal magnets, Tech-Air 3 ensures seamless protection for urban commutes and adventurous rides on the road. Priced at RM2,299 (size S to 2XL), Tech-Air 3 combines lightweight and slim-fit design with CE certification level 2 for both the chest and back when the airbag is fully inflated.

Alpinestars’ Tech-Air family comes equipped with built-in Bluetooth connectivity, enabling riders to monitor operational and battery status, as well as detailed ride maps, directly from the Tech-Air app on their smartphones. Tech-Air 5 and Tech-Air 10 offer dual riding modes – RACE and STREET – with distinct crash detection algorithms for track and road use, depending on the selected mode.

To reinforce their commitment to rider safety, Alpinestars Malaysia is offering an exclusive promotion for Tech-Air 10 and Tech-Air 5 purchases. Every buyer will receive 1 year of Allianz Bike Warrior coverage up to RM20,000, providing additional peace of mind on the road.

Customers can service their Alpinestars Tech-Air Airbag System after each deployment through certified technicians from Sinar Puncak Sdn Bhd, ensuring the system is in top condition for continued protection. It is important to note that Tech-Air service is not available at the fulfillment center.

With the introduction of the Tech-Air Airbag System in Malaysia, Alpinestars has once again solidified its position as a leader in rider protection, raising the bar for safety standards in the motorcycle industry. Motorcycle enthusiasts across the country can now experience the latest technological advancements in rider safety with the Alpinestars Tech-Air Airbag System.

Airoh And Autoliv Brings Airbag Technology To Motorcycle Helmets

Motorcycle helmet maker, Airoh has jointly developed a product which is claimed to be capable of reducing skull fracture by 50 percent.

Airoh’s developing an airbag-equipped crash helmet.
Airoh join forces with Autoliv to create a helmet capable of reducing head injury.

The Italian brand in partnership with automotive safety firm Autoliv has developed an airbag equipped motorcycle helmet.

While the airbag technology has been around for many years, only recently the technology is incorporated into the motorcycle world.

That said, the push for making the airbag system a necessity is prevalent including motorcycle gear makers.

Recently shown at EICMA motorcycle show, the prototype helmet with airbag system is still in an early stage of development.

The premise is pretty much the same as any other airbag system. In this case, the airbag is deployed around the crown of the rider’s head when it detects a crash.

Frankly, it’s amazing how Airoh managed to squeeze the system to ensure the helmet looks ‘normal’ without any weird bulge.

According to Autoliv, the system can reduce the risk of skull fractures by 50 percent, a big claim for a system that is still under development. However, considering both parties are expert in their field, we are excited for the project too.

Airoh To Debut Airbag Helmet Concept At EICMA

Airoh recently announced its partnership with automotive airbag specialist Autoliv to develop a concept helmet.

Airoh is set to showcase a special concept helmet in Milan that features an airbag system.
Airoh and Autoliv worked together for the last two years to develop the new concept helmet.

The Italian helmet maker is set to debut the world’s first motorcycle helmet concept that features an integrated airbag system at the EICMA show this week.

Interestingly, Airoh and Autoliv have worked on the unique helmet for the past two years. The primary goal is to create a safe and comfy helmet that is not compromised by the airbag application.

However, the biggest question remains regarding how the airbag system will be deployed. Hopefully, our question will be answered at EICMA.

“To substantially reduce the number of motorcyclist injuries and deaths, we need to take a holistic approach in which we study several combined countermeasures.

“Wearing a helmet is still the most important protection for a motorcyclist.

“Our in-depth knowledge of crash-data, biomechanics and injury assessment tools, combined with Airoh’s experience is an excellent opportunity to improve head protection for pilots and save more live,” said Autoliv CEO, Mikael Bratt.

EICMA will officially open its doors to the public on Tuesday (November 8).

Swedish Company Developing Airbag Parachute System For Riders

Airbag Inside is working on an all-new parachute system for motorcycle riders that will deploy upon impact.

the parachute will help riders from crashing onto the guardrail or wall on the racetrack.
the system is not similar to conventional canopy chute and instead will rely on two small chute position above the head.

There are many types of airbag-clothing system already available in the market, mainly by placing the airbags inside the jacket or vest.

The same mechanism is also applied to high-end racing suits currently used by MotoGP and WorldSBK riders.

However, a Swedish company, Airbag Inside is stepping up the game with a more ambitious idea for the future of rider safety.

The company’s latest patents revealed that they are currently working on an airbag-equipped boot and a parachute system.

One might think the parachute system is a bit over the top for a rider on the road but the system has been used for decades to slow dragsters and military aircraft, especially at places that offer limited space to bring vehicles to a stop quickly.

The idea of a parachute is to stop riders – particularly on the racetracks – from reaching the wall or guardrail after a crash. Currently, riders rely mainly on the friction between the racing suits and the gravel/asphalt to stop them.

However, the parachute system is not similar to the conventional nylon-canopy parachute that relies on cords and passing overflow to deploy the main chute.

Any rider could easily get tangled with the drogue or the main chute during the deployment.

Airbag Inside plans to use two small canopies that could expand to full shape immediately without the need of passing airflow to full deploy like a conventional chute.

The main cords are positioned above the rider’s head to keep them away from the rider’s neck hence reducing the chance of tangling.

The parachute system also ensures the rider slides feet first once inflated, pulling them away from the bikes or any hazardous obstacles on the track,

According to reports, Airbag Inside wants the technology to be applied for racetrack use considering the trajectory of a bike crash is more predictable than on public roads.

Airbag Saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo in British MotoGP Crash

It was airbag technology that saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo when they crashed heavily at the start of the British MotoGP.
Alpinestars had released the Tech-Air data.
This type of crash would’ve resulted in permanent injuries many years ago.

It was the airbag technology that saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo when they crashed heavily at the start of the British MotoGP.

Alpinestars had released the Tech-Air airbag data.

Quartararo’s airbag inflated completely within 0.060 second while he was flying in the air before his landing and absorbed the shock. It was also scary to see that his crash lasted 4.7 second. That’s an eternity in an accident.

Dovizioso’s suit data showed why he came away more banged up. The Italian’s airbag inflated completely within 0.145 second. It took longer because he was flying higher in the air.

Compare how Quartararo took one big impact to Dovizioso’s multiple impacts. Remember, it’s not how you crash but how you stop that causes the seriousness of the damage.

The Alpinestars Tech-Air system works on a complex algorithm which determines the best duration and type of inflation based on data from gyroscopes spread around the suit.

For example, a lowside crash results in the suit inflating the first stage. The rider could get back on his bike and continue as the bag will deflate itself later.

In the event of a heavier crash like this one, the algorithm fires the airbag completely.

We’re all thankful that both riders walked away without more serious injury. This type of crash would’ve resulted in permanent injuries before the advent of the airbag equipped racesuit.

We only wish the technology was more affordable to road riders.

Rider saved by air vest

Rider miraculously survives crash thanks to air vest.

(more…)

Honda Gold Wing affected by Takata airbag recall in America

Honda Gold Wing becomes first motorcycle affected by global Takata airbag recall in American market.

(more…)

Alpinestars vs Dainese: Dainese responds officially

The Alpinestars vs Dainese legal saga over their respective airbag technologies continues further now with Dainese speaking out about the situation. Though Alpinestars’ response did clear up a few things, this new response from the devil-horn brand has shed even more light into the situation.

In its response, Dainese insists that legal action was taken in Germany, resulting in a Munich court granting an injunction on Alpinestars selling its Tech Air-equipped product in the German market. Dainese further highlighted that legal action is presently being processed in Italy.

This counters Alpinestars’ initial response where it stated that no legal action was taken against it in Germany. However, it appears that the clarification about the patent infringement lawsuit being centred on the physical material used to produce the inflatable airbags in both the Alpinestars Tech Air and Dainese D-Air Armor remains true.

Either way, the outcome of the Alpinestars vs Dainese saga will have global repercussions on several levels indeed. Lets not forget that both brands have top-level riders in both MotoGP and WSBK donning their products, and the outcome of this battle may lead to just one side winning the rights to produce airbag-equipped riding apparels.

You can read Dainese’s response here to get where the devil horn brand is coming from in this entire affair.

Source: Asphaltandrubber

Alpinestars vs Dainese: Alpinestar responds officially

Loyal readers would remember our Alpinestars vs Dainese report we published some time last week. Just to recap, the two Italian riding apparels brands are embroiled in a legal battle of their respective airbag technologies, in which case being the Alpinestars Tech Air and Dainese D-Air Armour.

In light of the battle being reported online by a trusted source, the famed A-star brand has issued an official response to the matter, revealing the true nature of the legal battle in the process as well.

The first thing made clear in Alpinestars’ statement is the fact that the infringement suit it filed for its Tech Air airbag technology patent actual concerns the material of the airbag itself and not the computer algorithm deployment during crash detection as previously reported.

To put it simply, Alpinestars is claiming that Dainese is using a similar physical material for the airbag in the latter’s D-Air suite as the ones used in the former’s rivalling Tech Air system. The consequence of this saw retailers pulling out Tech Air-equipped Alpinestars apparels and products in core markets around Europe such as Germany.

Dainese has not responded to Alpinestars’ allegations, but it is worth noting again that the rivalling devil-horn brand were the most proactive amongst the two at introducing the airbag protection technology into the mass market. In fact, Dainese have even gone to the extent of licensing its D-Air Armor technology to other brands as well.

We’ll have more as soon as the matter evolves over time, to which we expect to last quite some time indeed. In the meantime, you can read the official statement released by Alpinestars below.

Alpinestars Tech-Air Street Airbag system – Statement regarding press coverage of Patent Challenge

With reference to recent articles published about Alpinestars and Dainese being in dispute over airbag technology, Alpinestars is issuing the following statement to clarify the current situation:

Alpinestars has been subjected to an allegation of patent infringement by Dainese on a specific part of its airbag construction used in the Tech-Air Street system.

The Alpinestars’ Tech-Air Street system was launched in November 2014 as the world’s first self-contained street airbag system that independently functions without the need for sensors to be installed on the bike and the subsequent need to link a specific motorcycle to the airbag system used by the rider.

The allegations made by Dainese S.p.A in proceedings launched in Italy against Alpinestars, refer to the assembly of the bag itself, the physical material piece that contains the gas in an inflation and not with any reference to any other parts or Alpinestars’ Tech-Air street system’s use of an algorithm for registering when the airbag deployment should occur.

Dainese instead make claims that the physical construction of the bag in the Tech-Air system infringes upon Dainese’s patents.

In Germany, Dainese did make a direct request to certain retailers, that they cease and desist from offering for sale the Alpinestars Tech-Air Street system, however, no legal action has been taken against Alpinestars and neither has Alpinestars withdrawn any of its products from the German market.

All claims made by Dainese against Alpinestars and/or its retailers are disputed and Alpinestars is taking the appropriate legal measures to ensure that any such unfounded allegations will not prevent distribution and sales of the Tech-Air Street system.

Given Alpinestars’ own research & development has been undertaken through Alpinestars’ in-house Advanced Technology Department since 2001, Alpinestars is contesting the allegations made. The Tech-Air Street system is based on Alpinestars’ technology creation and the physical bag used in the Tech-Air Street system is from known airbag technology, used within the Automotive industry and does not infringe upon third parties’ intellectual property rights.

Alpinestars continues to distribute Tech-Air technology for the benefit of all motorcyclists throughout Europe and the rest of the world and trusts that the allegations made will be proven to have no basis through appropriate legal jurisdiction.

Source: Alpinestars via Asphaltandrubber

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airbag

Autoliv, a leading automotive safety company, has unveiled its revolutionary motorcycle airbag system, bringing hope for increased rider safety on the roads.

Alpinestars Malaysia has taken rider safety to a whole new level with the launch of their highly anticipated Tech-Air Airbag System in the country.

Motorcycle helmet maker, Airoh has jointly developed a product which is claimed to be capable of reducing skull fracture by 50 percent.

Airoh recently announced its partnership with automotive airbag specialist Autoliv to develop a concept helmet.

Airbag Inside is working on an all-new parachute system for motorcycle riders that will deploy upon impact.

It was airbag technology that saved Andrea Dovizioso and Fabio Quartararo when they crashed heavily at the start of the British MotoGP.

Alpinestars had released the Tech-Air data.

This type of crash would’ve resulted in permanent injuries many years ago.

Rider miraculously survives crash thanks to air vest.

Honda Gold Wing becomes first motorcycle affected by global Takata airbag recall in American market.

Dainese offers signature D-Air Armor suite for other manufacturers interested.

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