Alpinestars TechAir, MotoGP technology (II)

Now that we know something about Alpinestars’ TechAir, let’s look at what it consists of and how it works. The system is made up of:

A microprocessor that constantly monitors the rider’s movements through five sensors distributed across the arms, legs and the control unit itself.

It has two positions, so to speak, activated and armed. In the first one, the suit is in a sort of Stand-By mode where the airbag does not deploy. This is used when the rider is not on the motorcycle and doesn’t need the airbag, so the battery lasts for weeks. As soon as we get on the bike and start riding at low speed, the sensors automatically switch it to armed mode, where it will now protect us in the event of an accident. In this mode the battery has an autonomy of 8 hours.

Through LED lights located on the right arm, we can easily and very intuitively see which mode the suit is in. This also tells us when we need to recharge the battery. Its charging is very simple, since a standard plug is all that’s needed.

When it is in the activated position, the microprocessor takes information from the five sensors every 2 milliseconds. And when the rider is moving on the motorcycle (armed mode), through a series of algorithms developed by Alpinestars and built into the system’s programming, the TechAir detects when the rider meets or exceeds an accident algorithm and then activates by inflating the airbags.

For inflation it uses two pressurized gas tanks, with a nitrogen-based mixture that, together with small pyrotechnic charges, inflates the airbags in just 45 milliseconds. A total gas volume of 2.8 liters is used for the entire system.

Once the system is working, it stays that way for 5 seconds, which is enough time for the rider to have “stopped,” and then it begins to deflate. In this way, the shoulder and collarbone area is protected, which is where most of the riders’ injuries occur.

To finish deflating it needs 20 to 25 seconds, after which the rider can get back on the bike and continue. And after 60 seconds the system is fully reset and ready in case a second deployment is needed. Though no more than two.

The redesign of the suits to accommodate the airbags is important, expanding some areas to make room for them, but always keeping the airbag inside the suit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHkRssXMw9g