In an exclusive interaction, Rajat Bhandari, Managing Director of Neo Kavach, shares the journey behind launching India’s first CE-certified motorcycle airbag system. Born from a deep concern over India’s alarming two-wheeler accident rates and lack of protective gear innovation, Neo Kavach is rewriting the rules of rider safety.
With a strong foundation in fluid mechanics and precision engineering, Bhandari has led the creation of rugged, resettable, and app-free airbag vests designed specifically for Indian conditions. From product innovation to pioneering a safety-first movement, Neo Kavach is not just selling gear—it’s transforming how India rides.
1.Neo Kavach was born from a bold vision to redefine safety through innovation. What inspired the creation of one of the first CE-certified motorcycle airbag systems, and how has the market responded so far?
India has long been the global leader in two-wheeler usage, yet we have lagged in rider protection technologies. That contradiction deeply concerned me. The roads are unpredictable—dense traffic, poor infrastructure, and increasing speed capabilities. We saw an urgent need for gear that is not just effective but also practical and made for Indian riders. Neo Kavach was created to bridge that gap. The early market response has been encouraging. Riders from commuters to adventurers are embracing the idea of fail-safe, mechanical airbag vests that do not require apps, subscriptions, or charging. Our CE certification from ALIENOR France has further strengthened trust.
2.With your foundation in fluid mechanics and precision engineering, how does Neo Kavach maintain its edge in developing high-performance safety products for high-risk environments?
Our edge lies in translating technical precision into real-world usability. We apply the principles of pressure dynamics, deployment speed, and energy absorption with exacting detail. Every millisecond counts during an impact. At Neo Kavach, we engineer not just for performance but for reliability and reset capability. My background in manufacturing excellence and quality control helps ensure each product meets stringent global benchmarks while being scalable for Indian production. Innovation is iterative, and our team is constantly refining designs based on rider feedback and crash simulations.
3.Motorcycle safety tech is still evolving in India. How is Neo Kavach positioning itself as a category leader in this space, and what consumer mindsets are you aiming to shift?
We are creating a new category, not entering an existing one. The idea of a wearable airbag was unfamiliar to Indian riders just a year ago. Today, with community trials, rider events, and influencer collaborations, awareness is building. Our goal is to shift safety from being an afterthought to a default. Riders often think helmets are enough, Neo Kavach aims to expand that mindset. We are positioning ourselves as a brand that speaks the rider’s language: rugged, simple, and built for Indian conditions. The absence of E-tech dependencies makes our product especially trustworthy.
4.Your leadership team brings together technical expertise and strategic thinking. How does this blend of capabilities shape product development and long-term vision at Neo Kavach?
We do not believe in siloed thinking. Our engineers are deeply involved in strategic discussions, and our leadership understands the granular details of product performance. This cross-pollination ensures that we never lose sight of either user experience or long-term scalability. We ask: Can this be made in India? Can it survive our roads? Can it be reset in under 2 minutes? Our long-term vision is not limited to motorcycling—we are actively prototyping airbag systems for construction workers, military applications, and elder care. That multidisciplinary growth stems from our team’s diverse strengths.
5.Beyond manufacturing, Neo Kavach positions itself as a movement for safer mobility. How do you plan to scale this mission — in terms of partnerships, awareness, and global expansion?
This is bigger than one product. We see ourselves as part of a larger shift toward intelligent, wearable protection. In India, we are engaging with riding clubs, traffic authorities, insurance partners, and OEMs to integrate safety into the conversation. The free Medical ID kit and insurance bundled with every Neo Kavach vest is part of this mission. Globally, we are eyeing entry into the UK and US markets by 2026, thanks to our CE certification and partnership with Helite. Expansion for us means both market access and mindset change, making safety aspirational, not optional.
