In the wake of the tragic Air India crash, engineers have designed a new AI-powered safety system to prevent future in-flight mishaps. What they came up with seems just “plane” ridiculous — an aircraft equipped with outside airbags. The Michelin Man-esque anti-crash concept — dubbed Project Rebirth — is a finalist for the prestigious James Dyson Award, which spotlights inventions that can change the world. The AI-powered crash survival system deploys smart airbags, impact-absorbing fluids, and reverse thrust mid-air, turning fatal crashes into survivable landings. AI sensors can reportedly detect when a crash is about to happen, prompting airbags to deploy and cocoon the fuselage, much like a giant piece of popped popcorn. In theory, this protective padding ensures that the landing isn’t deadly or violent, regardless of the plane’s velocity. The state-of-the-art AI system works by keeping tabs on altitude, speed, engine status, direction, fire and pilot response, so it can make an informed decision should an emergency be imminent. If a crash is unavoidable below 3,000 feet, the airbags activate automatically, although the captain can still abort their deployment at this point. The collision cushions, which are made of layered fabric, shoot out from the nose, belly and tail in under two seconds, absorbing impact and protecting the plane’s body. If the engines work, reverse thrust slows the plane's descent. If not, gas thrusters activate, which reduces speed and stabilizes the plane. Meanwhile, impact-absorbing fluids behind the walls and seats stay soft but harden on impact to reduce injuries, like a safety-preserving shapeshifter. A release date for the groundbreaking safety measure is unclear, as engineers still have testing to do and it has to be approved for use in real flights.
