Volvo protecting pedestrians with airbags on outside of new V40 [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Europe, Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, Videos, Hatchback, Volvo, Design/Style

Above all else, Volvo is known in car circles as being the foremost innovator in technologies intended to improve the safety of its vehicles. While we most often think of the safety of a car's internal occupants, it's important to remember than a two-ton weapon of mass destruction moving at highway speeds is also extremely dangerous to pedestrians outside the car.

In addition to a new Pedestrian Detection system, Volvo has introduced the world's first external airbags on its new five-door V40. Located at the base of the windshield, the airbag deploys from a cavity that expands upward from the rear of the car's hood in the event of a collision with a pedestrian.

We like this solution to the strict European legislation for pedestrian safety, as it doesn't require significant changes to a car's overall styling while still helping to save lives. Check out a brief demonstration of the technology in a rendered video below, along with a related press release that covers all of the V40's safety equipment.

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Volvo protecting pedestrians with airbags on outside of new V40 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.K.-based team develops hood-mounted airbag for pedestrian safety

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 01 May 2009 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety

These days, it's nearly impossible to find a new automobile that doesn't come equipped with a barrage of airbags to keep the driver and passengers safe in the event of an crash. That's all well and good, but what about the pedestrians that happen to be in the vehicle's line of fire?

A team in the U.K., led by Roger Hardy of Cranfield University, has developed a new hood-mounted airbag system that would theoretically improve the safety of pedestrians that come face-to-face with the windshield of your car. When not in use, the U-shaped airbag hides away underneath the car's hood at the base of the windshield and doesn't restrict the driver's view.

Just prior to impact, the airbag would deploy to protect the unfortunate pedestrian from making contact with the car's windshield or A-pillars. At the same time, the car's hood would rise to provide added crumple room over the engine compartment. The team believes its system could be put into production within five years without a substantial increase in cost while cutting pedestrian injuries in half.

[Source: Telegraph]

U.K.-based team develops hood-mounted airbag for pedestrian safety originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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