Ford Unveils Next Generation Airbag

Airbags are getting safer, thanks to a combination of high tech and low tech advancements.

Ford revealing the first of a new generation of airbags meant to do less potential harm to drivers and passengers, while still providing the same protection. 

"This is Ford's most advanced airbag system we've ever equipped a car with, and it is designed to help protect occupants even better in the most common types of crashes," said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, in a statement released by the company. "Each of these airbags uses innovative technologies to help better customize airbag protection to the occupant."

Ciske says the new airbags will debut on the 2012 Ford Focus, and quickly expand to other vehicles in the company's lineup. 

The driver's airbag is being improved through the strategic placement of a simple tether.

(Video animation showing how Ford Next-Generation Airbag works.)

"On the driver's side airbag, we're introducing a all new feature that helps reduce chest injuries for occupants, said Matt Niesluchowski, Ford of Europe safety leader.  "It's through use of sophisticated tethers that help pull in the airbag from use in the chest area, creating a little bit of a pocket to help distribute the forces on the chest, to reduce injuries." 

Niesluchowski telling WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert that the new airbags were developed by Ford teams in both the United States and Europe.

(Niesluchowski talks to WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert on the Worldwide Automotive Report. )

Passenger air bags will have vents that will release some of the gases during deployment, if sensors detect a small adult or child in the passenger seat. 

"It will help the bag to be a little bit softer for the small occupants," said Niesluchowski.  "If a larger occupant is present we will not deploy that vent, and the bag will be a little bit stiffer.  It will be more appropriate for a larger occupant."

There will be a similar venting system on the passenger's side curtain airbag.  But it's designed so that the vent will be covered by larger passengers, and will be open when a smaller passenger is in the seat.

Ford says it's done a lot of research into the "biomechanical" aspects of airbags, essentially how the bags interact with people in the vehicle.  The company says the new bags should be particularly helpful in more serious crashes.

(Crash Test Video of Ford Next-Generation Airbag.)

"While seat belts and airbags provide proven protection for drivers of all ages, elderly drivers remain at higher risk of injury than younger drivers due to the nature of collision forces," said Frank Heitplatz, Ford supervisor of occupant safety integration, in a statement provided by the company. "Decades of biomechanical research at Ford continue to spur refinement of the safety technologies in our vehicles to further reduce the risks of severe injuries."

The new Ford Focus will be on the market next year.  While it's not yet gone through government crash tests, Ford says the goal is to get five star safety ratings all around.

Niesluchowski says he's been working with restraints and airbags since he first started at Ford 23 years ago.  He's seen a lot of progress.
 
"We're able to produce airbags right now that can be tailored to the crash event, that can be tailored to the occupant that's present, to provide great protection for anybody who's driving or in the passenger seat."