Beyond Helmets: NeoKavach Wants to Make Rider Airbags India’s Next Safety Habit

India’s motorcycle culture has changed dramatically over the past decade. Riders are travelling farther, machines are getting more powerful, and protective jackets and gloves are increasingly visible on highways and weekend rides. Yet the core safety conversation has barely moved beyond helmets.

That, according to NeoKavach Managing Director Rajat Bhandari, is where the industry is missing a critical piece. “Rider safety conversations in India have largely revolved around helmets,” Bhandari says. “But real-world accident patterns show that many life-altering injuries occur in areas helmets do not protect. To meaningfully reduce injury severity, we need to think beyond traditional gear and look at intelligent protection that responds instantly during a crash.”

NeoKavach, an Indo-French venture focused on wearable airbag systems for riders, is attempting to push that shift. Its pitch is straightforward: while helmets protect the head, serious injuries and fatalities often involve the spine, neck, and torso — areas left exposed in many accidents. As motorcycles become faster and touring culture grows, that vulnerability becomes more pronounced.

From Niche Gear to Everyday Utility

The company’s strategy, however, is not to position airbags as specialist racing gear or equipment reserved for long-distance rides. Instead, NeoKavach is trying to integrate protection into everyday riding habits.

To that end, it offers two primary formats: an airbag vest that can be worn over existing riding gear, and an airbag-integrated backpack designed for daily use. The latter reflects a deliberate design philosophy — making safety feel like utility rather than an added burden.

“What’s encouraging is that riders are no longer asking whether safety is needed. They’re asking how it can fit naturally into their daily riding,” Bhandari says. “The stronger response to the backpack format shows a clear preference for protection that balances safety, comfort, and practicality.”

The backpack includes features typically associated with commuter gear — storage compartments, waterproof materials, helmet holders, and hydration packs — while housing an airbag system intended to deploy during an accident. The vest, meanwhile, is designed to be worn over existing jackets without replacing them.

The idea is behavioural: if riders already carry a backpack or wear protective gear, embedding an airbag into those habits may increase adoption.

Technology Tuned for Indian Conditions

NeoKavach’s airbag systems rely on a mechanical trigger that activates when a rider is dislodged from the motorcycle, inflating in roughly 100 milliseconds. The aim is to stabilise the neck and protect the upper body before impact.

The company says it opted for mechanical activation over sensor-based systems because Indian riding conditions can be unpredictable. Speed breakers, potholes, and rough roads may trigger false deployments in electronic systems calibrated for more uniform environments.

“World solutions aren’t always India solutions,” Bhandari says. “In our conditions, you need something that deploys reliably in an actual crash but doesn’t misfire because of rough roads or sudden braking.”

The technology itself is not entirely new. NeoKavach’s partner, Helite, has been manufacturing airbag systems in Europe for over two decades, primarily for equestrian sports, motorcycles, and motorsports. What NeoKavach is attempting is localisation — adapting the technology to Indian weather, usage patterns, and price expectations.

Ventilation, for instance, has been a key design consideration. The vest is engineered for airflow and is intended to remain wearable even in high temperatures. “If riders can’t wear it in Indian heat, they won’t wear it at all,” Bhandari notes.

The Affordability Challenge

Perhaps the biggest barrier to adoption of advanced riding gear in India has historically been cost. Imported airbag systems can run into six-figure price tags once duties and logistics are factored in.

NeoKavach’s localisation strategy is aimed at bringing prices down to levels more accessible for premium motorcycle owners. The company says its base vest starts at around ₹32,400, with backpack variants priced higher depending on configuration.

“We wanted this product to be cost-effective and used by as many people as possible,” Bhandari says. “If safety is priced out of reach, adoption will always remain limited.”

Another differentiator the company emphasises is reusability. The airbag’s CO₂ cartridge can be replaced by the user after deployment rather than sending the gear back to a service centre — something that can be costly and inconvenient with some imported systems.

“That usability matters,” Bhandari says. “If a rider has a minor fall on a trip, they should be able to reset the system quickly and continue.”

Early Signals From the Market

NeoKavach says early consumer research indicates a shift in rider mindset. Studies conducted across major cities suggest riders increasingly see advanced safety gear as a necessity rather than a niche accessory. High-risk scenarios such as highways, wet roads, and unpredictable traffic are driving interest in additional protection.

The research also suggests that practicality plays a decisive role in adoption. The airbag backpack format, for instance, scored higher in perceived everyday relevance and willingness to pay, particularly among urban commuters.

“What we’re seeing is that safety adoption is tied to how seamlessly it fits into daily life,” Bhandari says. “If it feels like an extra task, people may not use it consistently. If it feels like part of their routine, they will.”

OEMs, Riders, and the Broader Ecosystem

NeoKavach is also exploring partnerships with motorcycle manufacturers, riding clubs, and racetracks to expand awareness and adoption. The company says discussions are underway with multiple OEMs to integrate airbag systems into accessory ecosystems or co-branded gear offerings.

The long-term opportunity could extend beyond enthusiasts. Delivery riders and fleet operators represent a large and high-risk segment, though pricing and product design would need to adapt for mass adoption.

“Over time, as volumes grow and costs come down, there will be opportunities to bring this into broader segments,” Bhandari says. “But even today, among premium motorcycle owners, the willingness to invest in safety is increasing.”

NeoKavach also sees export potential. Manufacturing in India allows the company to supply products globally while adapting designs to local needs. In some cases, India-specific designs may find traction in overseas markets.

A Gradual Shift in Safety Culture

For now, rider airbags remain a niche product category in India. Helmets are mandatory by law; jackets and gloves are increasingly common among enthusiasts; airbags are still new territory.

But the trajectory of motorcycle safety in global markets suggests that incremental layers of protection tend to become mainstream over time, often driven by a mix of regulation, consumer awareness, and OEM involvement.

“As bikes get more powerful and riding becomes more widespread, the conversation naturally shifts to safety,” Bhandari says. “Helmets were the first step. We believe the next step is protecting the rest of the body.”

Whether wearable airbags become standard gear for Indian riders will depend on how quickly the ecosystem — manufacturers, riders, and policymakers — embraces that idea. For NeoKavach, the goal is to make the technology visible, practical, and affordable enough that riders begin to see it not as optional gear, but as part of riding itself.