Two engineering students in Dubai have unveiled a safety initiative born from tragedy. Motivated by the devastating Air India Flight 171 crash, they sought to make air travel safer using advanced technology and innovative thinking.
Project REBIRTH offers a survival mechanism for aircraft, focusing on reducing crash fatalities. This AI-powered safety system ushers in a new era in aviation disaster response.
What is Project REBIRTH, and how does it work?
Project REBIRTH is an AI-driven crash survival system designed for aircraft. When an unavoidable collision occurs below 3,000 feet, it automatically deploys external airbags around the plane's body.
The system tracks flight parameters, detecting emergency signals and launching protective technology in under two seconds, potentially lowering impact forces by more than 60 percent.
Developed by Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan at BITS Dubai, the system enables pilots to override AI activation if needed. High-speed external airbags emerge from the nose, belly, and tail, forming a multi-layer protective shield intended to turn deadly impacts into survivable landings.
Did you know?
The REBIRTH system can deploy full-coverage external airbags in under two seconds if sensors detect an unavoidable crash scenario.
How did tragedy inspire innovation in aviation safety?
The tragic loss of Air India Flight 171 in June 2025 directly motivated the student inventors. That incident demonstrated the limitations of current safety features and highlighted a pressing need for new solutions focused on survivability rather than only prevention.
Wasim spoke candidly about how the event disrupted his family's peace and inspired their drive to imagine new safety protocols. The story of the lone British survivor exposed gaps in survival technology and lent urgency to their engineering roadmap.
What technologies set REBIRTH apart?
Beyond external airbags, Project REBIRTH integrates other solutions. If engines are still functional, reverse thrust slows descent rates. If engines fail completely, gas thrusters stabilize and decelerate the aircraft, with non-Newtonian fluids installed in cabin walls and seats to reduce passenger injuries during a crash.
The AI constantly monitors flight data, including speed, altitude, engine health, and pilot responses. It triggers the integrated suite of safety actions when risk factors cross a critical threshold, striving to maximize survivability for all aboard.
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What is next for the AI airbag system?
Selected as a finalist for the James Dyson Award, Project REBIRTH could receive significant funding to advance research and testing. The inventors plan to partner with aerospace labs for crash sled and wind tunnel tests, hoping to retrofit existing planes and influence new designs within five years.
Technical feasibility reviews are part of the process, but industry experts see promise in these ideas. The team hopes to have the system tested, approved, and installed on flights worldwide, marking a shift in safety focus for commercial aviation.
How did global recognition shape the future?
The James Dyson Award shortlist opened doors and sparked global interest. The students now collaborate with leading manufacturers and universities, with ongoing support from their Dubai campus and international industry experts.
Recognition validates their goal to save lives, not simply gain accolades. The inventors believe their efforts set a new standard for safety innovation and demonstrate the power of engineering when led by empathy and vision.
Aviation continues to evolve, and Project REBIRTH could inspire further research on crash survivability. As engineers strive for safer skies, collaborative innovation may soon transform emergency protocols on flights everywhere.
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