Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Dainese Smart Jacket vest airbag breaks new ground so you won’t get broken

Bruce Brown
By

Regardless of the type of motorcycle or any other two-wheeled vehicle you ride, your body and health are in jeopardy when you travel. Especially when you share the road with cars, trucks, and other motorized vehicles, personal protection is a factor, whether or not your state or municipality mandate helmets or any other gear. To help keep you safer, Dainese recently launched the Smart Jacket, a new technology airbag vest.

Recommended Videos

Dainese has been developing airbag garments for 25-plus years and currently has a line of D-Air racing tracksuits and jackets and touring jackets. The new Smart Jacket builds on the same D-Air technology used by MotoGP racers and adds a new feature: Stationary impact protection. Stationary impact protection isn’t necessary on racetracks but offers significant additional protection to non-track riders.

“Smart Jacket is the result of more than 25 years of research on the D-air system, and combines in a single, intelligent, versatile, now available-for-everyone garment the ultimate in airbag technology for motorbikes, the same used by MotoGP professional riders” Dainese Group CEO Cristiano Silei said in a release.

1 of 9
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair worn under 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair worn atop leather
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair worn under 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken 1
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair front
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair close up graphic
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair system detail
Image used with permission by copyright holder
dainese smart jacket garment airbag breaks new ground so you wont get broken dair hardshell equivalent diagram
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Smart Jacket vest is made to be worn under or over any jacket. Dainese D-air garments do not connect directly to motorcycle and are entirely independent functional systems. The vest’s electronics include GPS, accelerometer, and gyroscope sensors, seven in all, powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to 26 hours per charge. The D-Air system uses an algorithm that reads the connected sensors 1,000 times a second. If the vest’s processor senses danger, it immediately activates and inflates the airbag, the Shield. If the Shield is activated, an authorized dealer can install a replacement in the same garment.

The Smart Jacket vest’s Shield is the garment’s protective core. The Shield’s microfilament structure is designed to inflate uniformly with the same protection in all parts of the airbag. D-Air technology is the only certified motorcycle airbag protection without hardshell protection on the torso or back. The D-Air system’s back protection, for example, is rated the equivalent of seven Class 1 armor back protectors.

The new stationary impact protection, the first for any motorcycle airbag system according to Dainese, activate the Shield in the event of a collision with a stationary vehicle at an intersection. If you’ve ridden bikes, ebikes, or motorcycles on city streets, you likely know that four-wheeled vehicle drivers often don’t even notice cyclists.

The Smart Jacket vest is made of abrasion and water-resistant material and is ventilated for air circulation so you can wear it in comfort in the summer. Dainese, like other protective motorcycle clothing companies, knows that if clothing is too hot people won’t wear it and if clothing riders don’t wear can’t protect them. The vest is also foldable for storage in a backpack, top box, or bag.

The Dainese Smart Jacket vest will retail for $699 in women’s and men’s versions in six sizes each in July.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown
Contributing Editor
Digital Trends Contributing Editor Bruce Brown is a member of the Smart Homes and Commerce teams. Bruce uses smart devices…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more