D-air Promises Crash Protection for Spill-Happy Racers
We've seen consumer level tether-actuated airbag jackets, but Dainese's D-air system intends to target the other end of the market: hardcore motorcycle racers.
Incorporating three accelerometers and a GPS unit into an aerodynamic appendage, the lithium-polymer battery-powered system ignites in 40 milliseconds using an inert pyrotechnic gas. 37 liters of air fill a protective sack that surrounds the shoulder and neck area, and according to Dainese, "Once the bag has inflated, the appendage can be easily removed by a quick gesture of the rider, who can then resume the race." The system can also record up to 10 hours of riding dynamics data.
While considerably more complex than the consumer airbag jacket, successful tests at last year's GP races at Valencia suggest this system will find its way into production... and eventually, the consumer market.
Check out Dainese's website for video footage and more on D-air.
Comments
Sounds complicated as hell, but I’m all in favor of technology that will eventually trickle down to the consumer, especially safety equipment.
Scottie,
I’m with you on that. In addition to being complex, I bet Dainese won’t giving them away either.
Holy horse crap! Back in the day road rash was worn as a badge of honor. Girly man ought to take up needle point, with an inflatable thimble, its safer and you can knit yourself a manly pair of tights…
I just watched the video. I liked how the plastic windscreen that broke off the bike came to a complete stop while the rider rolled about another extra 100 feet…
Burt,
I love riding, but motorcycles aren’t my whole life. I still want to be able to live a full life, whether that means going for a jog, or a bicycle ride, or just simply walking to the subway. I wouldn’t want an injury to disrupt my love life either, but we’ll leave the details of that for another blog.
Holy horse crap! You’re breaking my heart…