For the modern biker, a modern Kavach: a company called Neo Kavach has unveiled an all-new Neo Kavach, the first intelligent wearable airbag system for bike riders in India. The new wearable airbag is called the Neo Kavach Air Vest. The company has stated that the airbag deploys in less than 100 milliseconds in the event of an accident or fall and provides the user with necessary protection for the chest, spine, and neck. The new launch takes bike rider safety to a whole new level.
What is it and how does it work?
The airbag sits inside a sleeveless jacket (vest) that can be easily worn over normal clothing or under a riding jacket. When triggered, the airbag inside the jacket inflates to 28 litres and surrounds the rider’s vital organs, such as the chest, spine, and neck, protecting them from any damage due to impact.
Mechanical Mechanisms
Unlike electronic airbag systems used in much more expensive and premium jackets, the Neo Kavach jacket uses a mechanical tether. A strap from the bike is attached to a fixed point on the bike. If the rider falls off, the tether pulls a pin, releasing compressed CO2 gas from a cartridge and deploying the airbag in less than a tenth of a second, protecting the rider.
No Electronics
The jacket has no batteries, sensors, or software, so it doesn’t need charging. The jacket uses 60cc and 100cc CO2 cartridges, which last approximately 10 years. Once the airbag deploys, the rider can easily reset the vest and insert a new cartridge. The 60cc cartridge costs Rs 2,000, and the 100cc cartridge costs Rs 2,500, making the system much more usable rather than being a single-use product.
Pricing
The Neo Kavach Air Vest is priced at Rs 32,400. The company has also launched two backpacks with built-in airbags alongside the vest. The Neo Kavach Tech Pack Air offers lightweight back protection and is priced at Rs 36,400. The Tech Back Pro offers protection, storage, and ergonomic support and is priced at Rs 40,800.
