Proposing an airbag configuration specifically designed for cyclists

Abstract Motorcyclists in Vietnam face a disproportionately high risk of severe head and neck injuries due to traffic crashes, with traumatic brain injury accounting for the majority of fatalities. Current helmet-based protection provides only partial coverage, leaving the neck highly vulnerable. Despite their potential, neck-worn airbags remain uncommon worldwide due to limitations in manufacturing feasibility, cost, regulatory acceptance, and lack of standards. To address this gap, this study proposes a methodological framework for developing a neck-worn airbag system tailored to Vietnamese anthropometric data. A 2D layout with segmented chambers and predefined fold lines was devised to enable controlled dome-shaped deployment around the head and neck. Physical prototyping, folding, and inflation trials were conducted to verify whether the deployed airbag could achieve proper fit and coverage of the head-neck region. In parallel, a numerical model was established in which a headform is equipped with the fully inflated airbag; this integrated model provides the basis for future crash simulations and injury analysis. Overall, the proposed methodology outlines a feasible pathway toward inflatable safety devices that can complement or enhance existing helmet protection, with particular relevance for Vietnamese motorcyclists.