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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 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.

The Malaysian Motorcycle Assessment Programme (MyMAP) has officially announced the opening of participation to all motorcycle manufacturers in Malaysia for the above 250cc category and all engine combinations, including internal combustion engines (ICE), hybrid, and electric models. 

  • Phase 2 and 3 is open to all 250cc and above motorcycles. 
  • The MyMAP programme is dedicated in promoting safer motorcycles. 

This development marks a significant expansion of the program and presents an opportunity for premium and high-powered motorcycle models to showcase their safety technology.

Since its inception, MyMAP has been dedicated to promoting safer motorcycles, and it has already awarded five-star ratings to nine motorcycle models from various manufacturers in Malaysia.

However, until now, participation in the program was optional and limited to motorcycles with engine capacities of 250cc and below. With the implementation of the second phase, MyMAP will include motorcycles over 250cc, and eventually, the third phase will encompass all motorcycle types with diverse power combinations.

Director of the Research Center for Vehicle Safety and Biomechanics, Ts. Zulhaidi Jawi, expressed his satisfaction with the response from large and hybrid-powered motorcycle manufacturers.

“We have received many applications from manufacturers, which led to the early opening of the third phase of participation,” he said. 

This move is expected to encourage more manufacturers to join MyMAP, promoting the integration of safety technology into basic or affordable models. It aligns with the evolving motorcycle market in Malaysia, which aims to offer a wide range of additional safety features at reasonable prices.

MIROS welcomes manufacturers who are interested in participating in this rating program to submit their applications via email to mymap@miros.gov.my.

MOT will conduct a research via MIROS and amend existing legislation that will see ABS compulsory for all motorcycles 150cc and up.

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Stating this July, only helmets with ECE 22.06 certification will garner approval in the EU as it moves towards improving rider safety.

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Before you leg over into the hot seat for that ride you planned for this public holiday weekend, take a read of this safety reminder by Captain Nik Huzlan.

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Vata7 X1 carbon fibre helmet revealed, packs a host of LED lighting details aimed at improving safety through increased visibility.

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  • Does it seem to you that some drivers think motorcycles are invisible?

  • Research found that it may be largely due to the way the human brain works.

  • So, what can we do to overcome it?

Scientists have confirmed that the human brain could sometimes fail to register an object in plain sight and that a driver is twice as unlikely to see a motorcycle.

We published a few articles about road safety and touched on why it seems that some car drivers treat motorcycles as being transparent on the road. We also mentioned that it most probably has to do with the human psyche of “selective looking;” as in looking out for other cars and larger vehicles, but filtering out motorcycles, instead. (Please click on the link below to read more). That was partly based on assessments on ourselves when we drive and or after speaking to drivers who have never ridden a motorcycle.

8 Things Drivers Don’t Understand About Motorcycles

Having set their minds to look out for other cars, they’d cut across when they don’t see one. They’d not only pull out in front of you on a motorcycle, but they’d do the same in front of anybody: Other cars, trucks, bicycles, men, women and children, cats and dogs, etc.

Coincidentally, a report published in the Reader’s Digest lately highlights what researchers called inattention blindness as being a factor in contributing to motorcycle accidents that involve other vehicles.  The phenomenon denotes the brain’s inability to recognise certain objects or situations that may be right in front of the eyes and explains why the driver claimed to have looked but not see the motorcycle.

The researchers, led by psychology professor at the Australian National University in Canberra, Dr. Kristen Pammer, PhD, suspects that this type of accidents are not attributable to the motorcycle’s size and visibility. She said, “When we are driving, there is a huge amount of sensory information that our brain must deal with. The frequency of (these type of) crashes suggests to us a connection with how the brain filers out information.”

From CaliClutch YouTube channel

Dr. Pammer and her colleagues tested the theory on 56 volunteers. They were told to look at photos that were taken from a driver’s perspective, including one that include an unexpected object – either a taxi or motorcycle. The volunteers then assessed whether it was a safe or unsafe driving situation. No surprise, it was found that the volunteers were twice as like to miss seeing the motorcycle compared to the taxi. Follow-up experiments were also conducted, concluding with similar results.

Dr. Pammer hopes to use her study to train drivers to be more conscious of motorcycles on the road, “By putting motorcyclists higher on the brain ‘radar” of the driver, hopefully drivers will be more likely to see them.”

From 6Foot4Honda YouTube channel

We’re not trying to grandstand on our own articles, but we also iterated that we hope that you, our faithful followers, help to share the message to car drivers.

Now that we know the cause, are we to allow ourselves to be the victims of inattention blindness of others? Definitely not, correct? Besides that, it’s not only that drivers are prone to inattention blindness; it happens to some motorcyclists as well. You’d usually see them drifting slowly from side to side; or just putting along at slow speeds in the overtaking lane – being completely oblivious to the world. Khayal (daydreaming) kills, buddy.

Ten Ways Motorcyclists Annoy the Public

Here are a few tips to make it out in one piece:

  1. Always ride with full attention and at reasonable speeds in traffic. That also means having your fingers and feet cover the controls in anticipation, as opposed to riding with one hand on the handlebar, for example.
  2. NEVER trust other road users explicitly. If you’re a fair to good rider, never expect their skill levels to yours.
  3. Wear gear that improve your visibility to increase the chances of you being seen.
  4. Always keep in mind that a wayward road user may cross your path at any time.
  5. Keep your head and eyes up. Scan the road in front of you with a wide view, in addition to looking as far ahead as possible.
  6. Be especially suspicious and proactive when you see a car behaving even just a fraction differently from those around him i.e. starting to creep to either side of the lane, or slowing down abruptly, etc.
  7. Use the horn! Using the horn doesn’t make you a sissy. It saves your life!
  8. Learn to brake and steer in emergencies.
  9. And lastly, we repeat: Always ride with full attention and stop worrying about that MU game.
Sumber imej: cravelonline.com

 

  • Kajian telah mengesahkan yang pembonceng lebih cenderung untuk cedera apabila berlakunya kemalangan berbanding dengan penunggang.
  • Ianya menjadi satu kewajipan bagi penunggang untuk memastikan yang pembonceng lengkap dengan pakaian keselamatan.
  • Helmet yang bagus adalah satu kelengkapan yang wajib ada.

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  • Study confirms that passengers are more prone to injury.

  • It’s the rider’s responsibility to ensure the passenger is fully geared up.

  • At least a good helmet is necessary.

Remember that video which went viral? Most riders already knew that it’s the passenger who usually comes out the worse in the event of an accident.

Unfortunately, we still see many riders who don’t equip their passengers adequately when riding. The rider may be cladded in armoured jacket and pants, a good helmet, gloves and boots, but the passenger looks like he or she just got back from the beach, and wearing a helmet seemingly made when Allahyarham Tun Hussein Onn was Prime Minister.

Hope this research changes your mind.

Published in Reuters Health, it is confirmed by researchers that passengers are likely to suffer more traumatic injuries compared to riders.

Even with helmets on, 36 percent of the passengers suffered traumatic brain injury, compared to 31 percent among riders.

Dr. Tyler Evans of the Indiana University School of Medicine said, “We believe that in certain accidents, the passenger is more likely to be ejected from the motorcycle.” This is the likely scenario why passengers face a higher risk of brain injury, he added.

You can read the source of the report here.

While riders face lower risks since they could hold on to the handlebar and fuel tank, and protected by the windscreen in some cases, passengers don’t have such luxury since they have little to hold onto. This is especially advantageous for the riders since they know what’s happening and could brace themselves.

Courtesy of freemalaysiatoday.com

In Malaysia, there were 39,744 deaths resulting from motorcycle accidents between 2005 to 2014.

The knowledge gained from this study means that the rider should always provide the best helmet and riding gear he or she could afford for the passenger. Come to think of it, the passenger should be better equipped than the rider!

Courtesy of says.com

 

Young Aussie teen biker nearly gets his head decapitated in freak accident whilst riding with earphones on.

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