Ski binding with pyrotechnic fastener release

An automated method for releasing a ski boot from a ski binding, comprising:

• receiving, by a processor-based controller, sensor data from a plurality of sensors disposed on a skier, on the ski boot, and/or on the ski binding;
• in the processor-based controller, evaluating the sensor data to determine a state of the skier;
• when the processor-based controller determines that the skier is in a falling state, automatically generating an output signal, with the processor-based controller, to activate a pyrotechnic fastener in the ski binding, the pyrotechnic fastener maintaining a spring, in the ski binding, in a first state that secures the ski boot in the ski binding;
• generating an explosion with the pyrotechnic fastener, the explosion breaking at least a portion of the pyrotechnic fastener;
• and
• transitioning the spring from the first state to a second state that releases the ski boot from the ski binding.

An automated method for releasing a ski boot from a ski binding, comprising:

• receiving, by a processor-based controller, sensor data that corresponds to a position of a skier on a ski slope;
• determining, by the processor-based controller, when the skier is at or approaching a boundary on the ski slope;
• and
• when the processor-based controller determines that the skier is at or approaching the boundary, automatically generating an output signal, with the processor-based controller, to activate a pyrotechnic fastener in the ski binding, the pyrotechnic fastener maintaining a spring, in the ski binding, in a first state that secures the ski boot in the ski binding;
• generating an explosion with the pyrotechnic fastener, the explosion breaking at least a portion of the pyrotechnic fastener;
• and
• transitioning the spring from the first state to a second state that releases the ski boot from the ski binding.

An automated method for releasing a ski boot from a ski binding, comprising:

• wirelessly receiving, by a processor-based controller, a manual activation signal from a manual release device;
• automatically generating an output signal, with the processor-based controller in response to the manual activation signal, to activate a pyrotechnic fastener in the ski binding, the pyrotechnic fastener maintaining a spring, in the ski binding, in a first state that secures the ski boot in the ski binding;
• generating an explosion with the pyrotechnic fastener, the explosion breaking at least a portion of the pyrotechnic fastener;
• and
• transitioning the spring from the first state to a second state that releases the ski boot from the ski binding.