Dainese's D-Tec wearable airbag on sale in 2010

We've seen some fairly interesting products made to keep motorcyclists safe, but after a decade or so of development, Dainese is getting set to loose its airbag suit on the riding world. The D-Tec system is essentially little more than a full-fledged wearable airbag, clearly aimed at motorcycle riders, daredevils and folks who simply feel inadequate with their upper-body physique. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a price range out in the open just yet, but considering the alternative of hitting the asphalt sans a cushion, we'd bet most riders will be willing to pay the premium. Check out the video demonstration after the break.

[Via BoingBoing, image courtesy of webBikeWorld]

[Fredd @ Mar 25th 2008 2:50PM]

AM I the only who thinks that doesnt look like it adds much protection at all. I mean it looks like it's way too soft and wouldnt protect anything.

[Jordan @ Mar 25th 2008 2:55PM]

Yes.

[Cal @ Mar 25th 2008 3:01PM]

To me it looks good for your neck and possible shoulders, but surely some torso protection would be needed too...

[Nate @ Mar 25th 2008 3:04PM]

So you're saying you wouldn't wear it? Ever broken a collar bone?

[Dennis @ Mar 25th 2008 3:16PM]

looks to me like it protects your neck and back, and stops your head from bouncing around too much...

[nd @ Mar 25th 2008 3:17PM]

I think so. It doesn't provide road-rash protection anymore than a car airbag provides protection from being crushed. The purpose it serves would be to protect your neck in a crash...cool. Can't say as though I'd wear this on the street (and I wear jeans, riding jacket, gloves, helmet etc. every time out), but for track days it might be a smart investment.

[nd @ Mar 25th 2008 3:18PM]

And by "I think so", I meant "yes I think that you are the only one who thinks that" :-p

[Matt S @ Mar 25th 2008 4:29PM]

Yeah, I agree... you are the only one who thinks that... this would surely help a lot.

[Oskin @ Mar 27th 2008 11:00AM]

Actually I kind of agree with you... I can somewhat guess that its better for the neck and all but I really think they could improve a lot on that idea! I does look to soft as you said. Either way, its a great idea but it looks like it needs improvement!

[retro77 @ Mar 25th 2008 2:56PM]

I would want the bag around arse and vital organs.

[Mark @ Mar 25th 2008 2:58PM]

It looks like something I'd buy from The Sharper Image.

[anonymouspimp @ Mar 25th 2008 2:59PM]

Wouldn't you have to hit the ground BEFORE the airbag is deployed?

[Jordan @ Mar 25th 2008 3:02PM]

It could be activated based on gyroscopic motion or something...
(can you tell that I'm totally bulls**ting him?)

[d840 @ Mar 25th 2008 3:02PM]

Wouldn't you have to actually watch the clip to see that it senses you are falling and deployed BEFORE the guy hit the ground?

That being said, it doesn't look like it provides that much protection, but it's better than nothing I suppose.

[anonymouspimp @ Mar 25th 2008 3:15PM]

I did watch the clip smarty pants... and to me it looked like the guy gently laid the bike down (at a relatively low speed, wearing full protective gear) and immediately upon impact the airbag deflated.

I just wonder about its effectiveness in a typical crash scenario... or even if I lost control and dumped my bike going the speed limit (and I didn't see it coming!).

[d840 @ Mar 25th 2008 3:20PM]

While I also question it's effectiveness in a typical crash scenario, the "aribag" clearly deploys at 24 seconds (in the slow mo section of the video), about 1/4 second BEFORE his upper body hits the ground. Yes, his hip had already touched, but the "airbag" does not protect the hips, so I wasn't counting that. If that's what you meant, then sorry for the mis-understanding.

[anonymouspimp @ Mar 25th 2008 3:28PM]

I definitely agree with what was said up above, that it would certainly have some use on a race track.

[RRasco @ Mar 25th 2008 4:30PM]

No, they operate off of pull strings attached to the rider; similar to jet skis and the keys attached to the lie vests.

[Chris @ Mar 25th 2008 3:01PM]

You'd loose money on that bet, engadget.
Most Harley guys are upset they have to put a helmet on; forget the air-bag suit.

[OneLove @ Mar 25th 2008 3:12PM]

thats because harley riders are knuckleheads

[Ken @ Mar 25th 2008 3:09PM]

I don't think people around here would get this, too many don't even wear helmets!

[Mark @ Mar 25th 2008 3:15PM]

helmets are for chumps!

[Ken @ Mar 25th 2008 3:39PM]

"helmets are for chumps!"

So said the guy that lived down the street from me that spilled his brains off of a raised manhole cover doing less than 30mph. I sure felt like a "chump" wearing my helmet after that.

[ZeitgeistXIII @ Mar 25th 2008 3:46PM]

Geez Mark(skid?) Spoken like a true knuckle dragger as opposed to a knee dragger. I wear gear everytime I ride but I belive it should be a choice. If it is left to the choice of rider Darwinisim comes to play and eventually it thins the herd and problem solved. There are no legitimate reasons not to wear a helmet. NONE! heat, vision, hearing, comfort, safety(as in helmet being more dangerous than none). Its all ego driven and the "billy wannabee biker" that logs maybe 3 to 4k a year on his chrome wet dream trying impress his other chrome polishers riding from bar to bar on weekends is not a real biker by any stretch of what ever tiny imagination they have. A legend in your own mind I think is aprapo and I will be sure to give you plenty of room and make sure to pass you on the outside as not to spook you too bad. :)

[RRasco @ Mar 25th 2008 4:46PM]

Wow Mark! Let me guess, you drive a blingin ass busa that goes really fast in a straight line and your favorite attire consists of flip flops, board shorts, wife beater, and your pimp ass sunglasses that protect you from flying debris, say, a bird.

[Ivan @ Mar 25th 2008 3:12PM]

The airbag would protect borken collarbones and neck injuries. These are very prominent in motorcycling accidents. Leathers and the padding built-into them is very good, but the collarbone and the neck are way behind in term of proper protection.

[Peter @ Mar 25th 2008 3:18PM]

Well, i'll rather use my little Toyota with 7 airbags. It's a lot safer, uses less fuel than most current motorcycles and is way more friendly to the environment. Doesn't require hideous suits either.
If I need the thrill of acceleration and wild physics I board a roller coaster instead of risking my own and other people's lives on the road.
On my way to work I pass some nice curvy countryside roads. Their sides are lined with candles put up for killed motorcyclists. This bull.... should really be forbidden.

[Idlemind @ Mar 25th 2008 3:27PM]

...meanwhile outside of utopia...

[d840 @ Mar 25th 2008 3:30PM]

First of all, motorcyclists are unlikely to seriously injure anyone else in a crash, other than killing themselves.

Secondly, saying that we should "forbid" a certain mode of transportation because it is more dangerous than another is stupid. We should ban driving EVERYTHING other than airplanes because driving is much more dangerous than flying. In fact, we should ban flying because it is more dangerous than walking!

Your Prius is much more likely to get you killed than a 737.

[Sieth @ Mar 25th 2008 3:54PM]

Ok, seriously that is a rediculous comment. Motorcycles really arent any more dangerous then cars. People driving them CAN make them dangerous, and the dumbass cages around them make can also raise the risk level. Keep in mind a lot more people die in cars then people in motorcycles a year, of course because there are more cars, but the fact remians they still die. People in cages do stupid shit whether it is driving drunk or just not paying god damn attention while on there cell phones. ( I hate all of you that drive while talking on cellphones. Seriously get a hands free headset)

The other thing that makes motorcycle death increase ( in my opinion), is that a major of motorcyclist still do not even bother to wear a helmet. Go to any motorcycle forum and you will find an argument about whether helmets help or not. For that reason I dont know that this jacket or any of the other airbag jackets already out will ever become that popular.

And by the way, just cause you are too pansy to drive anything besides a prius doesnt mean that everyone should be restricted from driving another vehicle.

Disclaimer. Yes I drive a motorcyle( 86 Honda VT500C )

[David @ Mar 25th 2008 4:03PM]

Its people like you that confirm the fact that the current American generation is overwhelmingly full of whining vaginas.

[ZeitgeistXIII @ Mar 25th 2008 4:08PM]

Ban fast food, booze, tobbaco, TV(make you lazy), Skiing, ATVs, etc... while your at it. Just because you dont do it doenst mean its bad. Every seen cars street racing late at night? I suppose your little Toyota shouldbe regulated to 35mph too. saves fuel, lives and little bunny rabbits since they could out run you onyour country roads. what ever happened to people taking responsiblity for their own lives? Sheesh are we ready fro a nanny state?

[Matt @ Mar 25th 2008 4:24PM]

"uses less fuel than most current motorcycles and is way more friendly to the environment."

I'm assuming your "little toyota" is a Prius. Many motorcycles (including the one I own) get over 60mpg, something the Prius can only dream of. All the while I can still accelerate from 0-60 in about 3 seconds, and my bike cost about half as much as a Prius does.

Better for the environment? My bike doesn't have giant batteries that are *horrible* for the environment once they are used up.

[RRasco @ Mar 25th 2008 4:43PM]

You don't ride, thus, you have no opinion here.

[Snipermonky @ Mar 25th 2008 11:10PM]

A Prius!? "That is not a car that is a lunch box! Did you know, while driving on the highway if you stick your hand out the window the car will turn..."

- Jeff Dunham

[elias mufarech @ Mar 25th 2008 3:24PM]

wouldn´t it be smarter not to ride motorcycles. after all thery are dangerous

[Nate @ Mar 25th 2008 4:33PM]

Thanks for the late breaking news, Buzz Killington

[legios @ Mar 25th 2008 3:35PM]

This is already out there. These guys (check link) make a jacket that inflates if you get thrown from the bike. It already saved a guy's life in Baltimore that got thrown over 100 feet and landed at 140 mph (2nd link). Old tech

http://www.impactjackets.com/
http://www.wbaltv.com/news/14328936/detail.html

[Chris @ Mar 25th 2008 3:37PM]

I wonder how many monkeys they had to launch of motorcycles when developing these.

[Iridium @ Mar 25th 2008 3:45PM]

My motorcycle gets 65-75mpg. I don't think you can buy any car that gets that yet. It isn't a 1200cc road burner but it gets the job done and is plenty fast enough.

Above 50 mph you are pretty much dead if you crash your bike without full body armor like motorcycle racers. Unless you lay it down in a slide. A helmet is just enough to protect your head which keeps you alive while you die in agony from internal injuries. Better to squash your head and die instantly than die slowly in extreme pain. Overall motorcycles are pretty safe as long as you don't ride like an idiot. They are safer than any scooter at speed because of the greater stability from the large wheels.

I really think this needs to have a lower body airbag to complement the shoulder bag. The system in the video did jack, the airbag barely even touched the ground. The rider hit with his knee, hip, and elbows and took most of the impact before he rolled over and the shoulder area touched. I think the rider would have fared equally well with or without the bag.

[Sal @ Mar 25th 2008 4:45PM]

I agree with this. Anything over 50...you're road kill. That bag looks like it would do more damge around the neck...

[tracy @ Mar 26th 2008 1:33PM]

"They are safer than any scooter at speed because of the greater stability from the large wheels."....what?????

i own a scooter (10" wheels) and a bmw gs (17/19" wheels) in many ways the scooter is far safer.

and check out MotoPort.com for kevlar riding gear, i love it

[Iscum @ Mar 25th 2008 3:50PM]

I don't see many bikers on the cell phone shoving donuts in there face as I do cars. I avoid riding on the street because when a driver in a car screws up or I screw up I die. I ride off road and would much rather hit the trails up north then wait 2 hours for a 46 second roller coaster ride.

[ZeitgeistXIII @ Mar 25th 2008 3:56PM]

This has been in development for a long time its main focus is to cut down the risk of collerbones and keep the upper verts in alignment till you have stopped. I have raced in Dainese suits for years and have found they have always offered the best combination of fit and comfort while still allowing full mobility for riding. Not cheap to buy but when you are able to walk away from a high speed lowside(turn 8 at Willow Springs) with a few brusies and nothing more than a little raspberry on your butt it worth twice price.

[DB @ Mar 25th 2008 4:02PM]

anyone else thinking about how the riders are just going to get back on their bike after crashing and finish the race with a bubble around their neck?

[ZeitgeistXIII @ Mar 25th 2008 4:08PM]

That would be so funny to see the wind buffetting would drag them down like 10mph or so off the tope end. Maybe a corner work could come up and poke it with a knife. lol or rossi could have Stoner wear one with a secret remote control.

[Seminole @ Mar 25th 2008 4:12PM]

See him just rip it off afterwards? Thats how.

[Paolo @ Mar 25th 2008 4:06PM]

Motorcycle airbag jackets have been around for years, nothing new here. The largest manufacturer are Mudegenko from japan (www.hit-air.com) and Impact Jackets (www.impactjackets.com) I've owned a hit-air GS jacket for over two years, and while I never had an accident it sure makes you feel safe. Here's a report on an actual accident with one of these in the US: http://www.wbaltv.com/news/14328936/detail.html

Endgadget: for a blog that is supposed to be on the cutting edge you guys need to do better research. These are old news!

[legios @ Mar 25th 2008 6:01PM]

Uhhh, thanks for posting the same thing I did 10 posts up. You even used the same link. Lame

[Strange Quark Star @ Mar 25th 2008 4:11PM]

Cervical airbags, yay.

Now I'm waiting for a Yamaha bike with smartwheels.