Flux immerses you in the heart of a silent revolution that's saving lives on two wheels: the motorcycle airbag. Forget unnecessary gadgets, because this discreet but oh-so-effective technology has been redefining motorcyclist safety for several years.
For the moment, the fashion brand VEST PARIS, which specializes in your daily safety, has not yet launched into the Airbag, but it is showing growing interest in it.
To write this article, our journalist tested every version of the airbag presented to you. You'll learn everything about this technology, a safety feature that even the most cautious among you will no longer be able to ignore.
Motorcycle airbag, the revolution that saves lives
"Asphalt is our playground, freedom is our driving force. But the road, as exhilarating as it may be, is not without its dangers."
Faced with this reality, which inspired the creation of the VEST PARIS brand, the motorcycle airbag appears as a cutting-edge technological response, an invisible shield ready to deploy in a fraction of a second to protect the most precious asset: your life.
From car airbags to motorcycle airbags
The idea of a protective air cushion isn't new. It first took off in the automotive industry, becoming an essential safety standard. But transposing this technology to the world of motorcycles posed a significant challenge. How can an effective detection and deployment system be integrated into an environment as dynamic and demanding as that of a motorcycle?
The first attempts date back to the 1990s, with more or less successful concepts. However, it was in the early 2000s that viable solutions began to emerge, driven by the miniaturization of electronic components and the development of sophisticated detection algorithms. Visionary pioneers understood that the protection of the torso, abdomen, and spine, often the most vulnerable in a motorcycle accident, could be significantly improved by rapid deployment of an airbag.
How does a motorcycle airbag work?
The operation of a motorcycle airbag relies on a complex synergy of sensors, an intelligent algorithm, and a rapid inflation system. While there are different technological approaches, the basic principle remains the same. FLUX tells you everything:
It detects the accident with an electronic eye
Sensors, integrated either in the vest/jacket itself or in the motorcycle, continuously monitor the movements and forces present. These sensors can be accelerometers, gyroscopes, or GPS/inertial systems. The onboard algorithm analyzes the collected data in real time. If an abnormal situation is detected, an imminent or ongoing accident (fall, collision), it triggers the inflation process.
It inflates in a fraction of a second
Once the accident is detected, the algorithm activates a compressed gas cartridge (often argon or nitrogen) or a pyrotechnic system. This gas is released into the airbag in a fraction of a second (usually between 25 and 60 milliseconds). The speed of deployment is crucial so that the airbag is fully inflated before the driver's body impacts an obstacle.
It absorbs energy
The inflated airbag acts as a shock absorber, absorbing a significant portion of the kinetic energy generated during impact. It distributes forces over a larger area of the body, reducing the risk of serious injuries to the chest, abdomen, and spine.
After impact, the airbag gradually deflates, allowing some freedom of movement and potentially facilitating evacuation.
The different types of motorcycle airbags
The motorcycle airbag market has seen the emergence of different configurations, each with its advantages and specificities, we have tested the 3:
Autonomous airbag vests: total freedom
These systems are integrated into a vest that the rider wears over their usual motorcycle jacket. They are completely autonomous, with their own sensors and trigger system. The main advantage is their versatility: they can be worn with any compatible jacket or even on their own.
Integrated airbag jackets: discreet but restrictive
Here, the airbag system is directly integrated into the design of the motorcycle jacket. This provides a cleaner design and more seamless integration of protection. However, the vest or jacket generally cannot be used without its airbag system. This is therefore a bit of a hassle.
Hybrid systems: the best of both worlds?
Some brands offer systems where an airbag vest can be zipped inside a compatible jacket. This combines the benefits of aesthetic integration with a certain flexibility of use.
Intelligence at the heart of the system
The reliability of a motorcycle airbag depends largely on the sophistication of its detection system. Two main approaches coexist:
Wired systems (mechanically triggered)
These systems, among the first developed, use a cable connecting the vest/jacket to the motorcycle. If the rider is ejected from the motorcycle, the cable tightens and disconnects, mechanically triggering the airbag to inflate. Although simple and reliable, they require the rider to be ejected from the motorcycle to activate.
Electronic (autonomous) systems
These increasingly widespread systems use electronic sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) integrated into the vest/jacket. They analyze the rider's movements in real time and detect an abnormal fall or collision situation, even if the rider remains close to the motorcycle. These systems offer greater responsiveness and can be triggered in a wider variety of accident scenarios. Some more advanced systems even integrate predictive algorithms based on artificial intelligence to anticipate an accident.
The main market players
Several brands have launched into the development and marketing of motorcycle airbags, each with its own technologies and approaches. The list FLUX presents is not exhaustive, and new players regularly appear in this rapidly expanding market:
Alpinestars (Tech-Air): A pioneer in the field, Alpinestars offers integrated electronic systems in its jackets and suits, as well as autonomous vests. Their Tech-Air technology is renowned for its reliability and sophistication.
Dainese (D-air): Another major player, Dainese also offers integrated and autonomous electronic systems, with strong expertise in protective clothing for motorcycles.
Held (eVest Clip-in Technology): Held offers a standalone airbag vest that can be integrated into some of their compatible jackets.
Klim (Ai-1 Airbag Vest): Klim has also positioned itself on the market with a stand-alone electronic airbag vest.
Furygan (Fury Airbag System): The French brand offers autonomous airbag vests and systems compatible with some of their jackets.
Ixon (IX-Airbag U03): Ixon also offers a universal, self-contained airbag vest.
A fairly wide price range
The price of a motorcycle airbag system varies considerably depending on the type (stand-alone vest or integrated jacket) and the technology (wired or electronic). Electronic stand-alone airbag vests generally range in price from €400 to €800, or even more for the most sophisticated models. Jackets with integrated airbags can cost between €600 and €1,500 or more.
The airbag market, although constantly growing, remains marginal compared to the overall motorcycle equipment market. Some countries are more advanced than others.
Europe, queen of the global market
Europe, with its often stricter road safety regulations and strong motorcycle culture, is currently the largest market. France and Italy, in particular, are showing growing interest in these protective devices. Germany and the United Kingdom are also following this trend.
In the United States and other parts of the world, the market is still developing, but interest is growing as the technology becomes more widespread and riders become aware of the safety benefits.
When the airbag invites itself into other universes
The proven effectiveness of the motorcycle airbag has naturally led to exploring its potential in other risky activities.
In the world of equestrianism, for example, airbag vests have been developed to protect riders in the event of a fall, an unfortunately common accident. These systems detect the sudden separation of rider and horse, inflating instantly to protect the thorax, abdomen, and spine.
In skiing, where high-speed falls can lead to serious injuries, airbag vests are beginning to emerge, designed to deploy in the event of a sudden loss of balance or violent impact with the ground or an obstacle.
In cycling, we also see applications, particularly for mountain biking and cyclocross, where the risk of falling is higher.
Even more surprisingly, the airbag concept has even found its way into the elderly, with belts or wearable devices designed to inflate in the event of a fall, thus cushioning the impact on the hips and reducing the risk of fractures.
VEST PARIS projects
At VEST PARIS, you know that the safety of our users is a top priority. While our expertise focuses on active and discreet safety solutions, we fully recognize the potential of the motorcycle airbag as an essential complement to traditional personal protective equipment (PPE).
The integration of airbag technologies into our future ranges is an avenue that we are carefully exploring, in order to offer our customers ever more comprehensive and innovative protection, without ever sacrificing the style and comfort that are the signature of the VEST PARIS brand.