Aldorf, Germany (dpa) – Airbags have been lifesavers for more than a few
drivers, but they’re a long way from being a comfy cushion. An airbag reduces
the injuries in an accident – but its sudden inflation can cause some
unpleasant side-effects, too.
To minimise these the car industry is busy designing a kinder, more gentle
airbag – a smart airbag that can predict what it needs to do in order to carry
out its task and which can tailor itself to the passenger it is supposed to be
protecting.
Carmakers are also working on developing airbags to protect previously
unprotected body areas from injury in case of an accident.
Some car manufacturers have already taken the first step in developing smart
airbags. BMW introduced its ” intelligent” airbag about a year ago. According
to company representative Jochen Frey, the system can predict the seriousness
of a coming impact and deploy in two stages.
If the car’s computer predicts a light collision, the two gas cartridges will
ignite sequentially so the airbag deploys gently. If the computer predicts a
hard crash, the gas cartridges will deploy the airbag full-force and at full-
speed.
In the United States, where some states have no mandatory seatbelt laws, the
system is linked to a seatbelt recognition system that recognises whether the
passengers are wearing their belts. If they are, the system cuts back on the
force of airbag deployment.
Honda and Peugeot offer similar systems and Renault’s German representative,
Reinhard Zirpel in Bruhl, says his company plans to introduce a two-stage
deployment system this year.
The next step will involve a look inwards – a look at the passengers in the car
that need to be protected. Before an airbag can adapt itself to a specific
predicted impact, says Audi representative Udo Ruegheimer, it has to be able to
adapt itself to the passengers it has to protect.
Facing the prospect of heightened crash safety standards, Audi and other
carmakers have already started developing sensors that can monitor the size and
seating position of individual passengers and tailor airbag deployments to
their needs.
While today’s airbags have to be adjusted to a “best compromise” position,
tomorrow’s smart airbags will be able to tailor themselves to optimum
protection to a petite woman at the steering wheel and a giant sitting next to
her in a seat cranked almost back into the fully reclined position.
Smart airbag systems will also help reduce post-crash repair costs. If a car is
broadsided on the left, for instance, the right passenger-side side-airbag
won’t deploy.
All the systems so far available rely on near-instantaneous evaluation by the
on-board computer of information about an impact that has just happened.
The next step in smart airbag development will probably involve a system that
can predict an impending impact before it actually happens. Mercedes, says
company representative Olaf Meidt, is already working on an early-warning
system that will activate all a car’s safety components from anti-lock brakes
to airbags.
If the on-board computer recognises manoeuvres typical of an emergency, like
fish-tailing, panic-braking or high-speed turns, it puts the on-board safety
systems on red alert. It a crash happens, that will have saved a few precious –
maybe vital – milliseconds for Mr. Airbag and his friends to do their life-
saving work.
The same early-warning system will also let the airbag customise not only the
force with which it deploys to the expected force of the impact but also limit
the size of the deploying airbag to the amount of protection needed.
The carmakers have more goodies in their bag of tricks than just fancy sensors.
They’re working on new and different locations for airbags, so passengers will
be better protected than ever before.
In the U.S. the Ford Motor Company has announced that it will take the first
step next year, when it will begin offering airbags intended to protect off-
road vehicle occupants against injuries in roll-over accidents.
Like window airbags, this airbag will be located by the side windows but will
be controlled by new sensors that primarily measure the lean of the
vehicle.
Airboards under the dashboard are also almost ready for introduction, says
Andreas Bstock, a representative of TRW Occupant Restraint Systems, a leading
supplier of airbags in Europe and America.
The under-dash airbags will protect the knee and feet of front- seat
passengers. By 2002, headrests will incorporate airbags to protect from
whiplash, say auto safety experts.
While driver and front-seat passenger are on the verge of enjoying the
protection of an airbag cocoon, the back seat, up to now a relatively safe
haven in case of an accident, is on the verge of becoming the most dangerous
part of the passenger compartment.
So far, except for the side airbags in the 7-series BMWs, the Audi A8 and the
Mercedes S-Class, backseat passengers have had no airbag protection.
That won’t change until 2002 when Renault begins offering a small airbag on the
lap-belt part of the safety belt. That device will keep a backseat passenger
separated from the back of the front seat in an accident.
Today most vehicles still sport four airbags at most, and cars like BMW’s 7-
Series with its 10 airbags are the exception, Bstock predicts that in the
future “cars with 15 or 20 airbags will be commonplace.”
