In response to the devastating Air India crash earlier this year that claimed 241 lives, engineers have unveiled a unique AI prototype aimed at making planes ‘crash-proof.’ The tragic incident, where Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after takeoff due to fuel supply failure, spurred the creation of this innovative design.
The concept integrates artificial intelligence with external airbags that deploy around the airplane’s nose, belly, and tail within two seconds of detecting an unavoidable crash below 3,000 feet. These airbags act like a protective cocoon, absorbing impact and turning fatal crashes into survivable landings.
Beyond airbags, the system—called Project REBIRTH—incorporates gas thrusters to slow descent, reverse thrust to stabilize the plane, and ‘smart fluids’ inside the cabin that soften on impact but harden when necessary. The plane’s exterior can also transform post-crash with GPS and infrared beacons to aid rescue efforts.
Created by engineers Eshel Wasim and Dharsan Srinivasan from BITS Pilani in Dubai, Project REBIRTH was inspired by the emotional impact of the Air India disaster and is a finalist for the 2025 James Dyson Award, celebrating world-changing inventions.
