June 12, 2019—A new air bag that deploys from the side of a vehicle before a collision could reduce the severity of occupant injuries 40 percent, according to ZF, as noted by The Detroit Free Press.
The system could be on a production vehicle in four years, but ZF hasn’t signed a customer yet.
The system uses cameras, radar and lidar to determine when a collision is unavoidable, igniting the air bag milliseconds before the oncoming vehicle strikes. The sensors will also communicate with safety systems inside the vehicle, for instance adjusting the seat belts for side impact.
The air bag is five to eight times the size of a driver airbag, depending on the side of the vehicle. When inflated, it cushions the passenger compartment.
