Autoliv, a pioneering force in vehicle safety, is gearing up to introduce its groundbreaking two-wheeler airbag, slated for production commencement in Q1 2025. Designed to significantly mitigate the risk of severe injuries in frontal crashes for powered two-wheeler riders, this innovative bag-on-bike airbag marks Autoliv’s inaugural venture into motorcycle safety solutions.
With the rising prevalence of powered two-wheelers, particularly in urban settings, the need for enhanced safety measures has become paramount. Contemporary scooters and motorcycles boast advanced safety systems like ABS (Antilock Braking System) and ASR (Anti-Slip Regulation). The imminent inclusion of airbags adds another layer of protection, aligning with the evolving safety landscape. Notably, powered two-wheeler riders have yet to fully benefit from the strides made in vehicle safety that car occupants enjoy.
Mikael Bratt, CEO and President of Autoliv, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its life-saving vision: “Autoliv is dedicated to our mission of Saving More Lives and is determined to deliver world-class safety solutions that safeguard vulnerable road users, including powered two-wheeler riders. Developing such products is an integral part of our sustainability agenda.”
Autoliv’s exhaustive research into the behavior of powered two-wheeler riders and crash dynamics culminated in two sets of solutions – on-vehicle and on-rider safety solutions. The forthcoming debutant is the bag-on-bike airbag, with its initial deployment set for 2025, marking a transformative step in motorcycle safety. The holistic Autoliv bag-on-bike airbag system encompasses an airbag and an optional in-house-developed electronic crash sensor, embodying an all-encompassing safety approach.
Jordi Lombarte, Chief Technical Officer of Autoliv, shared insights into their vision: “Our objective is to offer a comprehensive and cost-effective bag-on-bike system that facilitates the integration of this technology across a wide range of motorcycles. The Autoliv bag-on-bike airbag system comprises an airbag and, if desired, an in-house-developed electronic crash sensor to provide a seamless solution.”
Cecilia Sunnevång, Vice President Research at Autoliv, stressed the importance of evolving safety norms: “To achieve the global target of halving road traffic fatalities, we must enhance safety for powered two-wheeler riders. We’ve leveraged real-world data to comprehend prevalent crashes and injury patterns, translating them into laboratory assessments. Rigorous virtual and physical testing has validated the airbag’s efficacy in frontal crashes, prompting us to explore solutions for a broader spectrum of crash scenarios and rider behaviors.”
Amidst growing attention from regulators and consumer crash test organizations, motorcycle rider safety gains prominence. Euro NCAP is expanding its vehicle crash avoidance testing to encompass powered two-wheeler crash scenarios, amplifying safety standards. In Asia, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) is set to implement on-vehicle safety solution ratings within the Malaysian Motorcycle Assessment Program (MyMAP) by 2024.