Klim Ai-1 Airbag Vest

Cycle News Staff | May 6, 2021

Klim has partnered with In&motion, a motorcycle airbag company, to introduce the Ai-1 Airbag Vest, an autonomous airbag system designed for use under a riding jacket for added protection in the event of a crash. (Scroll to end for the updated FAQ information, added on May 6, 2021).

Autonomous Ai-1 Airbag Vest from KLIM and In&motion

Here are the highlights from the Klim press release:

The Ai-1 Airbag Vest and In&motion’s In&Box DPP (Detect-Protect-Perfect) sensor platform is the first continually evolving motorcyclist-protection technology.

In&motion produces wearable airbag systems for motorcyclists and extreme sports including MotoGP [Aleix Espargaro and Bradley Smith are two of the riders using In&motion systems. Ed.]. These systems use “smart” technology to constantly update and perfect the crash-detection algorithms through data automatically collected from users.

The Ai-1 Airbag Vest is one of the highest safety rated motorcycle airbag systems available, with a detection + inflation time under 60 milliseconds, and the capability to offer protection to the thorax, abdomen, spine and neck. The lightweight, electronic vest is fully wireless and autonomous, meaning there are no sensors needed on the bike. An inert-gas canister provides the pressure needed to inflate the vest quickly, and it can easily be replaced by the user.

Watch a Live Demo of the Klim Ai-1 Motorcycle Airbag Vest

In&motion airbag systems have earned the CES innovation award two years in a row: in 2016 for the Ski Airbag Vest and in 2017 for the Moto Airbag Vest.

During the 3-year development period in competition, the airbag system has been worn and tested by world-class riders from MotoGP, to endurance racing (24 Hours of Le Mans and Bol d’Or), BSB and French Superbike. The product is also approved by IRTA (International Road Racing Team Association).

The main vest body fabric is lightweight, moisture-wicking and breathable for comfort underneath a motorcycle jacket. A CE Level 1-rated backpad is built into the vest to provide impact absorption properties in addition to the inflatable airbag system.

The vest chassis is designed to withstand up to three inflations, provided the post-inflation procedure is always followed. This avoids the time-consuming process of returning the vest to the manufacturer after each inflation.

All claims regarding crash detection, battery performance, protection performance, weight, safety rating, and airbag inflation performance are made by In&motion. For more information, visit www.inemotion.com/en#inemotion

The Ai-1 Airbag Vest will soon be available from Klim, at Klim.com and has an MSRP of $399.99.

Here’s more information from the In&motion website about its airbag systems:

About the In&motion In&box:

The intelligence of the system is contained in the In&box (a box placed in the back of the vest). It includes the sensors and the algorithm.
After buying an airbag product integrating the In&motion airbag system and for the first use only, you will need to activate the In&box.

The “smart” technology that updates to In&box requires a subscription Subscription: $12/month or $120/year.
A dedicated detection mode for use on racetracks can be added to the subscription.
Battery life is estimated at 20 hours of continuous riding.

More about the In&motion airbag system

The In&motion airbag system was conceived to stay inflated all along the fall in order to protect you in case of multiple collision. Even if the pressure will lower few minutes after the inflation, you will need to remove the inflator in order to empty all the air from the airbag.
When the airbag deploys, it will go up under the helmet in order to protect from a neck hyper-extension. So the In&motion airbag system is not compatible with some jackets having a support in the crotch (such as some one-piece, snug racing leathers) and cannot be worn with some jackets that zip to your pants.
The In&motion airbag system is also not compatible when wearing a backpack.
The weight of the system is approximately 3.3 ±0.2 pounds.
The inflators cost about $100 each.
The vest chassis is designed to withstand up to three inflations.
The airbag vest can zip into some jackets that In&motion is partnering with, and Klim is one of those partnering brands.

Update May 6, 2021: FAQ about the Ai-1 Airbag Vest and In&motion system and services:

[Due to misleading and untruthful information by a non-motorcycle media company floating around the ‘net about the Klim airbag vest, CN is sharing the following FAQ to clarify the functionality and details about the vest.]

1. Do I have to subscribe to an In&motion detection mode for this vest to work?

No. You can either buy the In&box detection module and service outright one time, or choose from a monthly or annual subscription model. The goal with offering a subscription model is to lower the initial financial barrier to using an airbag vest. After 3-4 years (depending on which modes you choose) the subscription cost matches the outright purchase cost. The subscription model entitles you to a new In&box module after three years. Choose what works best for you.

2. If I don’t want a monthly or annual subscription, can I still get this airbag vest?

Yes. You can purchase the vest and detection module with algorithm service outright and not have to worry about subscriptions.

3. If I suspend/pause my subscription and forget to reactivate it, will the vest still detect a crash and inflate?

No, because in the first place you won’t be able to turn it on into ride-ready status before your ride. It will not “trick” you into thinking it’s active when it is not, because the LED indicators will warn you that it’s not active. If you ignore the LED indicators warning you that the airbag isn’t active, you can’t expect it to work.

4. If I’m subscribed monthly and miss a payment or my credit card expires, will the airbag suddenly stop working?

No. In&motion will reach out with a 30-day warning prior to your payment method expiration. After expiration or missed/forgotten payment, In&motion gives you a 30-day grace period during which the airbag functions completely the same. You will receive notifications about the missed payment. After the 30-day grace period, the airbag will stop detecting crashes until payment is resumed and you will not be able to turn on your airbag vest into ride-ready status, so you won’t unknowingly ride with a non-functioning vest, unless you choose to ignore the LED indicators warning that it isn’t active.

5. Would In&motion turn off my vest mid-ride if I pass the 30-day grace period?

No. In&motion will not turn off your vest mid-ride for any reason, even if you’re at the end of the 30-day grace period and it elapses during your ride. The only way for it to turn off during a ride is if you didn’t charge the In&box and the battery dies (LEDs indicate battery level, which you see when you turn it on) or if you manually turn it off during your ride.

And even more FAQ/information from Klim:

How it works: In short, the In&box detection module is an electronic device that senses a motorcycle crash and triggers the airbag to deploy. No tethers or other components are needed. Crash and ride data are saved and transmitted to In&motion for analysis. Periodically, the detection algorithm is refined and updated to each In&box to always provide the best possible sensitivity. So far, they have 20,000,000+ miles of ride data integrated into the algorithm.

Accessing the detection algorithm and detection module:

Users can buy the In&box detection module for $399.
Users can lease the In&box detection module for $12/month (also called a subscription in some communications).
Users can lease the In&box detection module for $120/year.
One-time purchase of the In&box entitles users to regular algorithm updates as more crash data is collected and the algorithm is continually refined.
Subscription/lease options entitle users to regular algorithm updates and a new In&box detection module after three years, as well as additional support services. Think of it like leasing new cars, you’re not stuck owning a product that will inevitably become outdated.

How the airbag and subscriptions work:

If you pay for the subscription, it will keep working, just like your cell phone and utilities.
If you stop paying for the subscription (forgotten payment, expired card, denied card), the airbag will continue functioning for a 30-day grace period after the payment issue.
If your payment method is expiring soon, In&motion will notify you at least 30 days prior to expiration.
If you miss a payment, In&motion will notify you of missed payment.
At the end of the 30-day grace period, your vest will not turn off during a ride. In&motion simply will not turn off your vest mid-ride for any reason.
After the 30-day grace period, if you try to turn your airbag on, it will not turn on and will not mislead you into thinking it is operational. LED indicators warn you if it is not active. If a rider chooses to ignore those indicators and rides with an inactive vest, there isn’t much we can do about that.

Why is a subscription even an option? One-time purchases would be simpler.

The goal with offering a subscription/lease option is to lower the financial barrier to entry for owning an airbag vest. The technology isn’t inexpensive and mainstream yet, so this is a revolutionary way for people to not only access the safety equipment, but also have technology upgrades built into the plan three years down the road. With merits and drawbacks for either purchasing or leasing, riders can choose what works best for them.

For more information, visit Klim.com