At the Milan Motorcycle Show (EICMA), BMW demonstrated its DoubleR RaceAir, a suit that could make motorcycle racing a little less dangerous. The suit integrates the D-air technology developed by motorcycle equipment manufacturer Dainese, covering the biker's back and collar bones with inflatable airbags for protection in a fall.
The suit uses accelerometers and other high-tech sensors, located in the aerodynamic bump, to detect an unusual movement that could indicate a fall. The airbag system picks up data from the sensors and uses a complex activation algorithm to recognize the conditions of an accident. The suit activates the airbags' inflation within milliseconds after impact.
While the suit showcased in Milan is designed for professional motorcycle racers, BMW hopes to offer its customers a version for road use, the Dainese D-Air Street, by 2015.— Paul Duchene
