The Next Big Thing? External Airbags Might Be The Answer For Pedestrian Safety

Internal airbags are a standard safety feature in today’s cars, but a German auto supplier is hoping to export their benefits to the exterior of vehicles as well. ZF Friedrichshafen AG’s external vehicle airbags look and function exactly as you’d expect them to – after sensing the approach of a collision event, the bags deploy in milliseconds to cushion the blow. They boast a 40% reduction in injury levels, but after ten years in development, ZF’s system still faces significant hurdles before ever being brought to the consumer market. Convincing auto manufacturers to incorporate their product into newly-built vehicles and overcoming regulatory issues are the primary obstacles to overcome, but ZF is confident that the advantages external airbags would provide to consumers will win the day for their product


 

PUGPROUD - 2/20/2019 10:59:41 AM

+2 Boost

Safety advances are great but the cost benefit on this seems out of line. Shutting cell phones down in crosswalks would be cheaper and likely much more effective.

carloslassiter - 2/20/2019 8:35:31 PM

+3 Boost

In a future of self-driving cars this shouldn't be a concern anymore.

t_bone - 2/20/2019 8:47:15 PM

+2 Boost

Would that mean car front ends could start looking good again?

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 2/20/2019 9:36:47 PM

+2 Boost

And if people would stop eating, putting on makeup, reading the paper, listening to loud music, checking their phone, talking on the phone, texting, looking at whatever is outside their car a the moment, obeyed posted traffic signs and lights and instead FOCUSED on just driving, other drivers and pedestrians would all be much safer.

MDarringer - 2/20/2019 10:59:52 PM

0 Boost

Just blast Simian Split by the Jesus and Mary Chain and there will be no issue

I killed Kurt Cobain
I put the shot right through his brain
And his wife gave me the job
'Cause I'm a big, fat, lying slob
And the kid just let me in
With a big, wide, goofy grin
And we shared some heat
And then that kid was meat

-----
good times

MDarringer - 2/21/2019 7:40:39 PM

0 Boost

Why should cars have to correct for careless pedestrians? If you're walking, pay attention. If you're walking, not paying attention, and get killed, well that one less moron pissing the the DNA pool.