Airbag jackets have been around for a couple of years but Dainese has developed the D-Air Racing airbag system specifically designed to protect racers. The system was introduced at the Valencia GP in both the 250cc and 125cc classes. As luck would have it, the system was given a workout as a couple of riders with the D-Air system crashed and the system deployed.
The D-Air racing system protects the shoulders, collarbones and neck, a particularly vulnerable area in racing, especially during a highside.
The most revolutionary aspect of D-air® Racing is that the entire system is contained in a new and very special attachment on the rider’s shoulders and back which takes the place of the traditional “hump”.
D-air® Racing works totally independently from the motorcycle and triggers when the rider falls due to sliding of the front (front lowside) or rear (back lowside) wheel or in the event of a highside.
The device is managed by a sophisticated system of accelerometers and rate gyros located inside the “hump” whose signals are processed by a data interpretation algorithm which decides whether or not to inflate the airbag. The trigger signal reaches a gas generator which inflates the bag in approximately 40 milliseconds.
Airbag jackets currently on the market are inflated when the rider is thrown from the motorcycle and a tether connected to the bike pulls a ripcord firing a CO2 cartridge. The Dainese system uses no tether.
The D-Air Racing system is specifically designed for racing, a D-air® Street system is currently under development.
I’ll be interested in seeing more street oriented systems coming to market. Airbags definitely provide an extra layer of safety in cars and trucks. Wearable airbag systems make a lot of sense for motorcycle applications since riders are usually thrown from the bike in a crash and you need to “carry your protection with you.” I wonder what the Dainese street system will look like.
Link: Dainese via Motoblog.it
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Willie Schmitz says
This item might find a market in something besides motorcycledom. That trechereous 100 yards from the local pub to my humble abode, on foot, could difinitely be made safer with one of these.
hoyt says
Cool! From the looks of the top picture, the elbows & hip/gluteus area of the pants should also be inflated.
How loud is the inflation? It is right by your ear.
These inflation areas could (underlined) not only stop major injury, but also minimize nagging injuries that racers continue to race with before they are healed (which impact their performance)
Ry says
Automotive air bags are explosive charges and are very loud. Is this unit explosive or just the CO2 blast ? That is the what will determine how loud the deployment is. I’m not so sure I would want a explosive charge on my back and I’m sure that was thought out by the manufacturer as well.
Aaron says
Seems like a great idea – and it’s a good thing they’re not calling it the d-bag 😉
todd says
If I get one, I’ll have to change my habit of throwing my jacket onto a chair when I un-suit. “POP”
New bragging rights will be to get the bag to deploy under accelleration….
-todd
ROHORN says
For years, I’ve been wondering how an “airbag suit” would work for racing. Once the rider bails, a lanyard would initiate suit inflation, turning the rider into something like the Michelin Man.
Except that some rider would probably tug at another’s lanyard and blow him clean off the back of the bike.
Hey, would that bring back some of the excitement some claim traction control has taken away?
Probably not…….
Michael says
I agree with Todd that its all in the actuation. My system would constantly need replacement with either tethers or G-forces in day-to-day use, and I’d say they’re not cheap.
mine says
I think it’s a great idea, as long as it doesn’t deafen the rider when it is deployed.
RobC says
This is great, now where was the knee one when I kneeded it! 🙂 (pun intended)
Anything that lessens trauma when departing from your steed is welcomed. My fiends joke with me these days as I am usually kitted out like a MX rider… but who will be laughing when they get roasties or worse when they take a spill? 🙂
Alex says
This is awesome! And I guess, the maker considered the noise…
coho says
The noise shouldn’t be a problem, after all we all wear proper ear protection when we ride, don’t we?