Tech Tuesday: The Airbag System

Supercross is a sport that demands not only skill and talent, but also bravery and resilience. Injuries are not just common – they’re inevitable – and riders and teams often focus on simply surviving the calendar before they can think about topping the standings.

Alpinestars – a brand synonymous with the very best competitors in MotoGP and Formula 1 – has revolutionised safety with the introduction of the Tech-Air® MX. Best described as an airbag system that deploys in anticipation of impact, the Tech-Air® MX is the result of a decade of information.

Developing this system for motocross posed unique challenges. Unlike MotoGP, where rider movement is more predictable, motocross riders make countless abrupt motions, many of which might look like a crash to a computer. It was essential that the Tech-Air® MX could distinguish between a whip and an actual fall.

At the heart of this innovation is an intelligent crash-detection algorithm capable of analysing rider data up to 1,000 times per second. This precision ensures that the system deploys only when truly necessary, offering protection without interfering with performance. It’s a testament to how fast-paced and physical the sport is that so much data must be processed in real time.

After deployment, the airbag automatically deflates through a mechanism integrated into the inflator cap, allowing it to reset for a potential second use. This feature enables riders to continue racing, provided they’re physically fit, without being hindered by the system. It’s like capturing lightning in a bottle: protection that reacts instantly and returns to normal just as quickly.

Australian Chad Reed, a former supercross champion, has played a critical role in developing the product to this point. Never one to wear a regular chest protector in his professional career due to its restrictive nature, he has now found protection that works for him. Reed’s testimony is pivotal; he has had title bids derailed by shoulder injuries on more than one occasion. Had this technology appeared sooner or he been born later, his path to glory could have been much smoother.

The evolution of rider safety mirrors the progress of the motorcycles themselves. It wasn’t long ago that competitors raced on two-strokes with little more than knee pads for protection. Now, this advanced successor to the traditional chest protector answers a long-standing call from within the sport – a call that many riders answered when the Tech-Air® MX debuted in February of this year.

The system made its first appearance during the U.S. Supercross season, proving its effectiveness immediately. Fully compliant with FIM regulations, it’s now set for its World Supercross Championship debut at the Buenos Aires City GP in Argentina.

With an inflation time of just 40 milliseconds, the Tech-Air® MX features three accelerometers, three gyroscopes, and a battery capable of more than 30 hours of use. Its Bluetooth connectivity allows for regular firmware updates, ensuring that safety continues to evolve alongside the sport itself.

Much like in supercross itself, standing still will never be an option when it comes to safety.