Piaggio is developing a new airbag system for its MP3 scooter, going by the patents that have been filed by the company. Piaggio has previously showcased a prototype MP3 at the EICMA 2022 in Italy with the airbag logos. Now that a patent has been filed, it looks like the production-spec MP3 might get the safety feature sometime in the future.
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Patent drawings show Piaggio is developing new airbag tech
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Airbag protects against frontal collision
The patent drawings reveal the location of the airbag, which, when folded, sits behind the inner fairing, below the handlebar. As is the case with airbags in a car, the airbag in the MP3 will deploy as soon as a collision occurs, the whole process taking a few milliseconds. Once open, the airbag covers the rider’s head and torso, and prevents an impact with the handlebar, thereby reducing the possibility of major injuries or worse, fatalities.
It goes without saying that the airbag-equipped MP3, if and when launched, will command a hefty premium over the non-airbag-equipped Piaggio MP3 scooter. At present, the Honda Goldwing is the only production motorcycle to be equipped with an airbag system.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
