As motorcycle safety tech advances, gearmakers continue to move into the world of airbag-enabled protective gear. First it was full airbag suits, but now they’re also building standalone vests. This winter, Alpinestars is going to bring out its latest airbag system, introducing it at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The new Tech-Air 5 vest does not integrate into an Alpinestars jacket; it’s designed to work on its own, unlike some previous systems (the Revenant jacket we tested this year works this way). Alpinestars says it’s “slim, self-contained.” It’s intended to be worn under standard motorcycle gear, like the previous Tech-Air vest, but with updated sensors and other tweaks.

Previously, the Tech-Air equipment would actually display an LED readout built into the gear, letting you know when it was time to recharge the batteries. The Tech-Air 5 does that, but also integrates to a mobile device via Bluetooth, letting you know when it needs more juice.

Alpinestars says the new vest will inflate in 40 milliseconds. It’ll be available for purchase in March. More details in the press release below.

Press release:

Alpinestars – Experience Tech-Air® 5 Live at the Consumer Electronics Show

Alpinestars will be showcasing over 55 years of class-leading product innovation in motorcycling and motorsports protection technology, including the all-new completely independent Tech-Air® 5 motorcycling airbag system. The new system is the latest addition to the Alpinestars Tech-Air® family, allowing more users to benefit from an independent, wearable garment featuring all the protection that the Tech-Air® airbag system delivers.

Tech-Air® 5 is a slim, self-contained wearable airbag vest designed to be worn under any textile jacket. The system provides unrivaled upper body protection uniquely covering the rider’s shoulders, critical in motorcycling accidents, in addition to the chest, ribs and full back, and offering the most comprehensive coverage of any motorcycling airbag available today.

The state-of-the-art Tech-Air® 5 airbag system features six integrated sensors which continuously monitor acceleration and the rider’s position. In the event of a crash, the system has a maximum inflation time of up to 40ms and the impact absorption while wearing the airbag results in a decrease of the impact force by up to 93 % compared to a passive protector. The airbag has been designed to deploy before the first impact with an obstacle, and in addition, protects riders in the event of a rear-end collision.

The system includes Bluetooth connectivity and comes with the Tech-Air® App, which uses the rider’s phone to display the system’s operational status, battery status and provides detailed analysis of a ride, in addition to over-the-air firmware updates. The airbag has a battery life of 30 hours of riding time on a single charge and an LED display conveniently shows system status directly on the garment. The Tech-Air® 5 airbag system will be available on the market in the March 2020 time-frame.

The Consumer Electronics Show takes place from January 7th to 10th in Las Vegas. Alpinestars will showcase the Tech-Air® 5 airbag system and offer live airbag deployments to CES attendees. Please plan to visit our booth for the unveiling of the airbag on January 7th. Alpinestars exhibit will be in Hall D, Booth 46046, of the Sands Expo Center and our technical staff will be available to showcase the innovation on display, provide live airbag inflation.

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