Alpinestars Introduces The Tech-Air 5 Plasma

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW, LAS VEGAS – Alpinestars has redefined protection for motorcyclists ever since the company was established in 1963, and today sees the brand giving a technical preview of Tech-Air 5 PLASMA, the all-new, autonomous motorcycling Airbag System.   

Tech-Air 5 PLASMA is the latest addition to the Alpinestars Tech-Air family, which includes the Tech-Air 10, Tech-Air 5, Tech-Air 7x, Tech-Air 3, Tech-Air 3 Canvas, Tech-Air 3 Leather, Tech-Air 3 Stella, Tech-Air OFF-ROAD, and Tech-Air MX Systems. Alpinestars continues to lead the way in active airbag technology for riders and passengers. The all-new Tech-Air 5 PLASMA is a definitive demonstration of Alpinestars' continued commitment to making the most versatile airbag technology products in the industry.

Engineered to be ultra-lightweight, superior in comfort, and low-profile, the state-of-the-art Tech-Air 5 PLASMA provides comprehensive upper body coverage, protecting the rider's chest, ribs, back, and shoulders. The System is also equipped with a Nucleon PLASMA back protector for the optimum blend of comfort, flexibility, airflow, and protection. With a new dedicated algorithm featuring three Riding Modes, STREET, RACE, and OFF-ROAD, the Tech-Air 5 PLASMA is a single-charge deployment Airbag System, and its gas canister is replaceable by the user.

With meticulous attention to weight savings, the Tech-Air 5 PLAMSA Airbag System tips the scales at just 1530g (3.373 lbs.), more than 25 percent lighter than the existing Tech-Air 5 Airbag System.

The ultra-slim profile features a minimalist construction design, enhancing rider comfort and the overall wearability of the system under any Alpinestars jacket. The main material features a full-stretch chassis construction for superior breathability, with a moisture-wicking treatment for maximum rider comfort, and is fully washable.

The Tech-Air 5 PLASMA comes with a new dedicated algorithm and three Riding Modes – STREET, RACE, and OFF-ROAD – which can be changed by easily pushing the Display Button, even with gloves on. This newest addition to the Tech-Air lineup is a single-charge deployment Airbag System that can be serviced by the user up to six times before a full-service airbag replacement is required. This new system utilizes an easily accessed Type C charging port featured on the lower right torso.

TECHNOLOGY:

The latest evolution of the Tech-Air wearable technology features a more compact and complete active electronic system that features 6 sensors (2 tri-axial sensors). 1 tri-axial accelerometer and 1 tri-axial gyroscope located on the main electronic control unit leverage AI to accurately monitor when to deploy the airbag in the event of a crash.

The System is also extremely easy to use; just zip up the vest and close the magnetic flap, and you’re ready to ride. An LED display indicates the Airbag System's operational status, and the integrated, certified lithium-ion battery has a battery life of 30 hours of riding time.

Tech-Air 5 PLASMA has Bluetooth connectivity and an accompanying Tech-Air App, which uses the rider’s phone to display the System’s operational status, battery status, and a detailed ride analysis; The System’s firmware can also be easily updated directly via the app.

Over 20 years ago, Alpinestars began development on the original Tech-Air System. When launched in the market in 2011, the Tech-Air System was recognized as the world’s first airbag providing full upper body protection with a completely independent electronic management system, in addition to having the versatility of the vest which could be easily zipped into a variety of Tech-Air compatible jackets. In December 2019, Tech-Air 5 was recognized by CES, as one of the must-see innovative products in the Wearables Technology Marketplace.

SIZES OFFERED: XS-XXL

PRICING: $789.95 (US Dollars)

OFFICIAL RELEASE: MID-MARCH 2025 (US) - OCTOBER 2025 (INTERNATIONALLY)

A History of Alpinestars Tech-Air® Airbag Technology: Pioneering Innovation in Rider Safety

2001: Tech-Air Airbag System project begins.

2004: Alpinestars performs its first electronic airbag test; with outer airbag balloons of 2 x 60 liters. Alpinestars decided to use electronic triggering for the airbag as the company analyzed and studied all solutions and discovered that with a mechanical system, the activation is not fast enough to guarantee first-impact protection.

2004: Alpinestars also starts collecting riding data from professional riders in MotoGP.

2009: Alpinestars introduces Tech-Air Race in MotoGP.

2011: Tech-Air Race is integrated into Alpinestars' top leather suit and becomes available to final customers. 

2014: The Tech-Air Street Airbag System is launched to the market at the EICMA show in Milan, as a modular self-contained electronic Airbag System that provides first impact protection for the full upper torso. Tech-Air Street is the first System in the market to provide this level of protection. Additionally, the System allows the rider to easily switch between Tech-Air compatible garments and to adapt these garments to his/her riding requirements and the weather conditions.

2016: Tech-Air Race is introduced as a modular System that allows riders to not only choose between a wide variety of compatible suits and garments but to choose between algorithms; riders can switch between racetrack use and public road use with the RACE and STREET algorithms. Tech-Air Race is the first Airbag System in the market to allow this option.

2020: The Tech-Air 5 System is launched, joining the Tech-Air Race and Tech-Air Street vests, in the Alpinestars Tech-Air line-up. The Tech-Air Off-Road System is offered to all professional Rally riders.

2022: The Tech-Air 3 and The Tech-Air 10 Systems are launched to the market. The Tech-Air Off-Road V2 system is offered to all professional Rally riders.

2024: The Tech-Air 7x, and Tech-Air Off-Road Systems are launched to the public, and Tech-Air MX is offered to professional riders in MXGP.

2025: Tech-Air 5 PLASMA is revealed at CES in Las Vegas.