The new Evoc Commute A.I.R. 18 Pro aims to improve road safety for commuters. In addition to a back protector, the new rucksack from the Bavarians also features an airbag that is triggered in the event of danger and deploys around the chest, shoulders and upper back in 0.2 seconds. The airbag is designed as additional protection next to a helmet and therefore leaves the head free. Once ignited, Evoc's airbag can be easily folded up again and can be re-ignited with a replacement cartridge (40 euros). Unlike other airbag solutions for bikes, the system is therefore reusable.
Crash sensor activates airbag - ready for use in 0.2 seconds
Fasten the chest strap, wait for the green light and the airbag of the new Evoc Commute rucksack is ready for use. An acceleration sensor then recognises when the rider falls or is hit by a car in traffic and sets off a small explosive charge. This pushes a bolt into a large CO2 cartridge at 200 bar pressure, which causes the airbag to pop out of the rucksack and fill it completely. According to Evoc, it only takes 0.2 seconds from ignition to complete deployment of the airbag.
Commute A.I.R. - Airbag system initially only for commuters
The crux of the matter is that, unlike a camber sensor such as the Tocsen or Specialized's Angi, the system has to react within fractions of a second, so it cannot yet reliably differentiate between shocks on a rough descent or a jump or drop and falls in road traffic. The system is therefore currently only intended for commuters and not for off-road use.
Lots of storage space, good fit
In return, the Commute A.I.R. offers commuters every conceivable comfort. The Air-Bag is only activated by closing the chest strap and offers space for smartphones, billets and other small items in various compartmentalised pockets. Larger items can be stored in the main compartment, which is only minimally restricted in terms of storage capacity by the CO2 cartridge with ignition mechanism. There is space for a laptop in the dedicated laptop compartment, the back protector protects the rider from further injury, while the hip belt next to the chest strap ensures that the rucksack fits perfectly.
The only disadvantage: the price. The Commute A.I.R. will cost around 900 euros due to the high development costs and the complex design of the dimensionally stable and reusable airbag. An expense that could well pay off for many bikers if the airbag delivers what it promises in terms of protection.
All information on the new airbag rucksack can also be found on the Website of the manufacturer.
Adrian Kaether
Editor
