Honda comes with a patent to launch detachable airbags for two-wheeler for safety purposes

Honda has patented a new type of airbag system for motorcycles, which would rapidly inflate in a crash or fall situation, wrap around the rider’s torso in a great big hug, and detach from the bike to protect the rider when the two are separated.

For a long time, cars are considered safer than motorcycles as they are concealed and pose a structure around to isolate them from potential hazards from the outside.

Motorcycles are not like that as the helmet is the rider’s only best friend where safety is concerned. Honda wants to change that by patenting airbags for scooters and motorcycles.

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Honda Working On Airbags For Motorcycles, Scooters

Is this the first time that airbags are part of motorcycles or scooters? No. We have seen airbags being offered as part of motorcycles before. Coincidentally, it was on a Honda Goldwing tourer.

Honda offered airbags on Goldwing for as long as 2006. The associated costs around it and limited impact of it on rider’s safety must be reasons why it never came into mainstream 2W vehicles.

According to the reports, the company is testing mainly two airbags systems, and the first will be placed in front under the legs of the rider. The airbags will be capable of inflating between the legs and wrapping around the rider to provide complete protection. At the same time, the second concept is designed to be placed behind the rider, which will be between the pillion and the rider seat.

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AIRBAGS IN TWO-WHEELERS

Just like airbags on cars and trucks, this airbag system also requires a sensor to detect a crash, a detonator, and a bag where gases can expand. Reportedly, Honda’s new airbag system detaches from source after deployment and is sealed off using heat applications to retain expanded gases in the bag as is.

This airbag system needs a sensor to detect a collision, a detonator, and a bag where gases can inflate, just like airbags on vehicles and trucks. According to reports, Honda’s new airbag system seals off utilising heat applications to keep inflated gases in the bag as is after deployment and detaches from the source.

One is demonstrated on a street-naked motorcycle where the airbag is mounted at the vehicle’s front. And the other is demonstrated on a scooter where an airbag is placed behind the rider and integrated into the seat. These look to be very rough around the edges as of now and are not likely to see the light of day anytime soon.

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Questions On Safety

On a tourer like Honda Goldwing, one would sit upright and an airbag for their torso and head is very logical. But as demonstrated by Honda in their patents, is it viable for a street bike? What if a rider is ducking to get a sportier position, will they survive a whiplash caused by an inflating airbag?

Also, on a system demonstrated on a scooter behind the rider’s back, there are chances of airbag dislocating thighs from the pelvis of its pillion. If a rider is sitting behind a favourable spot, they can suffer injuries from a dislocated spine as well. There are jackets and helmets with gyro-sensors that detect a fall and deploy airbags. Those seem to be a better bet until new breakthroughs happen.