This skinsuit featuring a built-in airbag from Van Rysel may reach consumers within the next two years.
This skinsuit featuring a built-in airbag from Van Rysel may reach consumers within the next two years.
What you see here is an innovative airbag mechanism that is seamlessly integrated into a “race-ready” skinsuit, unlike traditional attachments. This was created for road cyclists by Van Rysel in collaboration with airbag technology expert In&motion. It is presently being trialed on professional athletes in anticipation of a broader consumer launch in the coming “two years.”
The endeavor follows the UCI, the governing authority of professional cycling, issuing a request in February for solutions that could enhance rider safety at increasing speeds.
The existing model is undergoing final validation before potential implementation in races. It weighs approximately 700 grams (with the airbag components accounting for 500 grams), making it considerably lighter than MotoGP airbag systems, according to Van Rysel. Similar to established MotoGP systems, this Airbag activates within 60 milliseconds after detecting an impact through its sensing algorithm.
The design of the skinsuit prioritizes aerodynamics and heat dissipation, incorporating abrasion-resistant fabrics to mitigate the risks of road rash and superficial skin injuries. The Airbag is deployed to safeguard regions of the upper body that a helmet does not cover, including the central torso, neck area, and spine. Further protective enhancements will be investigated later.
“Behind every race number lies a human, and regrettably, it remains generally accepted that a rider could lose everything in an instant due to a crash,” comments Van Rysel’s product manager Jocelyn Bar. “What helmets represented two decades ago, we believe an Airbag can signify today, but we are now aiming beyond just head protection; we need to encompass as much of the body as we can.”
