The Alpinestars Tech-Air7x is the latest iteration of the company’s airbag technology, offering substantial upper body coverage, multiple charges, and different riding modes.
Yes, now you can even buy airbags with riding modes, and Alpinestars’ Tech-Air 7x lets you choose between Street and Race modes. The former is aimed at road and light-off-road riding, whereas the second is aimed strictly at the track. The basic point of this is to try to optimise the airbag’s performance in both high-performance track scenarios and less-intense scenarios both on the road and on the dirt. Switching between the two modes is one via the Tech-Air mobile app, which can also be used to update Tech-Air 7x’s software. The app can also be used to monitor the system’s battery level: a full charge will offer 20 hours of riding time.
Additionally, the Race mode really does mean race, since the Alpinestars Tech-Air 7x is certified for use in FIM Grand Prix competition, where the technology was developed: since 2018, it has been mandatory in MotoGP for riders to wear leathers with two airbag charges.
Now, for the first time in a production Tech-Air system, the 7x comes with two charges, meaning you can crash and have the airbag deploy, and still have another deployment ready in that system.
Further, when both charges have been used the wearer no longer has to send their airbag suit off to Alpinestars to have it replenished, but can do it themselves providing they have the necessary canisters thanks to a quick-release cover. Alpinestars says the Tech-Air 7x is certified for four deployments before a service is required.
Three triaxial accelerometers and one triaxial gyroscope act as sensors for the system. These send data inputs to the system’s computer one thousand times per second. Based on the data provided by the sensors and the crash-detecting algorithms that Alpinestars has developed over the course of almost 20 years, the algorithm will trigger the deployment of the airbag in the event of a crash, which will inflate in a maximum time of 44 milliseconds, depending on the volume of the airbag. According to Alpinestars, “the impact absorption while wearing the airbag when inflated results in a decrease of the impact force by up to 90 per cent compared to a passive CE Level 1 protector.”
Additionally, Tech-Air 7x is able to be worn both as an integrated system within a compatible suit or jacket or can be worn under a suit or jacket as a standalone garment.
In terms of coverage, Tech-Air 7x provides protection to the wearer’s shoulders, chest, and full back. The integrated back protector is extended in length for additional protection of the coccyx.
Find all the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.
