Airbags for planes: A proposal by two engineers could make survivable what was previously thought to be fatal plane crashes.
Project REBIRTH, an innovative AI-powered crash survival system, has made it to the final round of the prestigious James Dyson Award for 2025. This groundbreaking technology, conceived by engineers Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan, promises to transform the way we approach aviation safety.
The idea for Project REBIRTH was born out of the grief following the tragic Air India Flight 171 disaster earlier this year, which claimed the lives of 241 people out of 242 on board. The system is designed to turn a potential catastrophe into a survivable event, focusing on making crashes less lethal rather than preventing them altogether.
In simulations, Project REBIRTH's airbags have demonstrated a remarkable reduction in crash forces, with a reduction of more than 60 percent. The airbags are strategically placed at the nose, belly, and tail of the aircraft, designed to inflate and cause the fuselage to balloon outward upon impact.
If a crash below 3,000 feet is determined to be unavoidable, Project REBIRTH acts in under two seconds, inflating the airbags and puffing the plane into a Michelin Man-like cocoon. This swift action can significantly reduce the impact forces on the passengers and crew, potentially saving lives.
However, the system is not without its challenges. Aviation experts have expressed concerns about the weight and drag that the airbags might add to a commercial jet. Additionally, the system exists solely in simulations and scale prototypes, and the team is seeking to partner with labs and manufacturers for full-scale trials.
In the event of an engine failure, Project REBIRTH activates gas boosters to slow descent and stabilise the aircraft. If the engines are still running, the system automatically engages reverse thrust, cutting speed by up to 20 percent. Furthermore, after impact, an infrared beacon, GPS coordinates, flashing lights, and a bright orange paint job are activated to help rescuers find survivors.
Project REBIRTH is more than just engineering; it is a response to grief and a promise of a second chance after failure. The team behind this innovative project hopes that, if selected as the winner of the James Dyson Award on November 5, they can take a significant step towards making commercial flights safer for everyone.
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