TEXTILES.ORG
French startup CX Air Dynamics completed a successful crowdfunding campaign in early 2021 to help launch its airbag pants designed for motorcyclists and scooterists.
Company founder Xavier Bouquillard de Milleret knows all too well the injuries that can result from a motorcycle accident—the idea for airbag pants came to him after an accident left him with 17 fractures. Motorcycle pants are too often left in the closet because they are constraining and not comfortable or practical for everyday use, he says.
Inspired by air force suits that are easy to put on and take off, the pants are comprised of materials recognized for their resistance and the ability to absorb shocks, while being breathable with a water-repellent coating.
Because safety equipment is only effective if it is worn, the pant design emphasizes comfort and practicality. A compressed air cartridge is integrated in the pants and connected to the bike by a cable for ultrafast triggering in the event of a fall (less than 200 milliseconds according to the company). The pants are also comprised of Poron® XDR for comfort and shock absorption properties, Cordura® fabric for abrasion resistance and breathability, and a tailor-made airbag to protect vulnerable areas.
