There is more and more talk about airbags, which is good, even though, for various reasons, this technology is not yet as widespread among us motorcyclists as we would like. Currently, we are mainly connected to wearable products and, as we know, there are various types. Although this type of protection certainly has the advantage of being in contact with our body, it requires us to always have it with us and to ensure that it is functioning properly. Much rarer, for now, is for the airbag to be installed directly on the motorcycle, as is usually the case in cars, which would allow us to “forget” about it and be a little more at ease about its functionality. A motorcycle that has had it since 2006 is the Honda Goldwing, although it is an optional extra. In this case, it is a cushion that inflates in front of the motorcyclist in a very similar way to that of a car. A good extra safety feature, but one that does not accompany the rider in case of impact and slip.
Apparently, Honda has made progress in this matter. A year ago, we published a Honda patent illustrating a new type of airbag capable of solving both problems, and now the Japanese manufacturer has presented more detailed documents on the same system, showing that it is still being developed and perfected for potential future production. The drawings show how the airbag, in this case, is mounted on the motorcycle and, therefore, is not visible or used, but at the same time, after its opening, it can follow the motorcyclist in their movements. Basically, it inflates, surrounds the rider, and accompanies them.
Mounted on the rear section of the tank area, under a cover, it is activated by an acceleration sensor that can detect impact. When filled with air, it surrounds the motorcyclist and keeps them in place, like a life jacket. Instead of a pillow design, it is sculpted in a “W” shape, with the outer sections extending under the rider’s arms and a central section pressed against the chest. The two air inlets close once inflated and separate to become a kind of protective vest, just like the ones we wear. All of this, obviously, happens in a fraction of a second.As one can easily imagine, the most complex part of this project is precisely separating the airbag from the motorcycle after its opening. In addition to the technical difficulties, there are purely industrial difficulties: it must be easily achievable in order to be sold at an affordable price and, above all, it must maintain its reliability over time. The idea seems to be truly remarkable and potentially revolutionary in the way we understand airbags for motorcyclists, and we can only await the development of the project with curiosity and confidence.
