Credit: Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan via The James Dyson Award A team of engineers from BITS Pilani’s Dubai campus has developed Project REBIRTH, AI solutions for aviationcrash survival system designed to protect airline passengers during otherwise fatal accidents. The system uses external airbags and intelligent sensors to reduce impact and aid rescue operations.
Created by engineers Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan, the system meets the standards of AI in aviation safety through sensors and safety mechanisms that detect imminent crashes at altitudes below 3,000 feet.
The engineers’ use of machine learning crash detection methods enables the system’s on-time activation. Once triggered, airbags deploy in less than two seconds from the nose, belly, and tail of the aircraft, demonstrating how smart airbag technology in aviation can save lives.
“These nanorobots essentially act as mechanical agitators,” explained Dr. Ning Liu of Tongji University, adding, “by rotating under a magnetic field, their sharp spikes disrupt the cell membrane, creating tiny openings that allow drugs to slip inside more efficiently.”
Made from Kevlar, TPU, Zylon, and non-Newtonian smart fluids, the airbags absorb force to reduce damage, supporting the AI impact protection system to minimize crash effects. If engines are functional, reverse thrust slows the plane, while in the case of failure, gas thrusters reduce speed and stabilize descent. After landing, infrared beacons, GPS, and bright orange paint make the aircraft easier to locate.
“It prepares for the worst when all else fails,” the engineers said, highlighting the potential for survivable aircraft accidents through AI.
AI Solutions for Aviation Prototype Ready for Testing
The team has built a 1:12 scale prototype using sensors, microcontrollers, and carbon dioxide canisters managed by AI in aviation maintenance software. In simulations, the AI impact protection airbags reduced crash impact by more than 60%.
Now, they seek to collaborate with aircraft manufacturers and laboratories for wind tunnel and crash trials. The system is designed for integration with both new fleets and retrofits, through safety aviation maintenance technology.
Experts remain cautious throughout the process. Aviation consultant Jeff Edwards told Popular Science, “This sounds like an interesting idea, BUT airline disasters this airbag system is intended to mitigate would mean future aircraft would all be carrying the additional weight and compromises to prevent one accident in 20 years.”
“Today, REBIRTH is ready for scaled testing, with schematics, simulations, and materials data prepared,” the team said.
AI System Born from Tragedy
The idea emerged following a deadly Air India crash earlier this year, in which only one passenger survived. “My mother couldn’t sleep,” Wasim recalled. “She kept thinking about the fear the passengers and pilots must have felt, knowing there was no way out. That helplessness haunted us.”
Driven by that tragedy, the engineers set three goals: slowing the plane before impact, absorbing crash forces with smart airbag technology, and ensuring faster rescue operations. These measures contribute to lowering aviation fatalities AI prevention.
If successful, Project REBIRTH may revolutionize AI aviation safety by combining aircraft seat safety technology with predictive measures for AI solutions for aviation. The group has also submitted to the James Dyson Award 2025, which comes with $40,000 in prize money for breakthrough inventions.
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