dainese
Latest
Dainese's airbag jacket doesn't rely on a motorcycle to activate
Airbag jackets for motorcyclists typically rely on the bike to activate the safety features, which, in some cases, could be a bit tricky. Dainese remedied the issue by packing all of the requisite tech inside the jacket itself on its D-air Misano 1000. The collection of sensors, GPS and other electronics that are housed in the back protector "monitor the dynamics of the rider's body 800 times a second" and deploy the airbag when they detect impact or tumbling. As you might expect, there's an on/off switch to activate the system when you're in the saddle and an LED status like keeps your informed of its status. Looking to snag one? The D-air Misano 1000 will arrive in November for €1,499 (around $1,700).
Ducati's new bike jacket turns you into a human airbag
We love using motorcycle gear with built-in airbags, but not the extra heft of carrying the sensors that make the thing work. Ducati knows this, and has teamed up with Dainese to develop a system that spares our shoulders the added burden. The new Ducati Multistrada D-Air has sensors attached through the bike's electronic system that monitor the vehicle's acceleration, breaking and orientation. If it detects that you're about to crash, it'll send a signal over WiFi to your jacket, so that the internal airbags will deploy before you hit the asphalt. The first version of both bike and outfit will launch in Europe from May, just in time for a safe summer jaunt through the Transfagarasan Highway.
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]
