In the last few years there's been a HUGE surge in worn, airbag-assisted personal protection gear. Jackets, vests, now helmet/collars.
While this is still an infant technology, I would venture to guess that in 5 years it will be commonplace to find airbags available in most all of our gear.
In in 10 years, I predict it will be fully expected in every piece of gear, fully regulated, and even "weird" not to have it. Just like seat belts in every car, or a DOT sticker on every helmet....
I am not yet prepared to wear air-bag assisted safety gear, but the jackets I have seen online look well thought out. The air bags deploy very fast, activated by a microprocessor, and inflated by standard CO2 canister (like for BB guns...). After activation the canister is replaced, the bags fold back up and are snapped into 'hidden pockets.' Everything is ready again for redeployment in moments.
This stuff may not be very 'retro-cool,' but it IS the future of motorcycling.