The strange new safety system that could change the way passenger planes survive crashes

The 2025 James Dyson Award has seen the submission of an innovative safety system for passenger planes, called Project REBIRTH. The brainchild of Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan from BITS Pilani’s Dubai campus, this concept envisions an aircraft enveloped in a network of colossal external airbags, deployed only in the direst of circumstances.

The system is designed to monitor flight data including speed, altitude, direction, and engine condition, activating the airbags if it predicts a crash unavoidable below 3,000 feet. The airbags, larger than those found in cars, would inflate within two seconds, creating a protective cushion around the aircraft’s fuselage before impact.

In addition to the airbags, the proposal incorporates non-Newtonian fluids around the cabin and seats to absorb energy during a crash. The aircraft would also sport vibrant orange exterior markings, GPS, infrared beacons, and emergency lighting for easier post-accident rescue. While the concept is groundbreaking, it remains a theoretical proposal at this stage.

The designers have used computer simulations and small-scale prototypes for testing, but challenges remain, including the system’s reliability, deployment precision, and the potential for the airbags to become a part of the wreckage rather than a protective barrier. The project was spurred by the 2025 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives, prompting the designers to explore aircraft designs that could offer additional protection in unavoidable accidents.

Although passengers will continue to board conventional aircraft for the foreseeable future, the concept of Project REBIRTH opens the door to a future where the humble airbag could undergo a significant transformation, potentially becoming a crucial element of aviation safety.