Hyundai has developed a new centre side airbag, which aims to separate the space between driver and passenger.

The new, additional airbag, which will be available in upcoming vehicles, expands into the space between driver and passenger seats to prevent head injuries of passengers in the front row.

If there is no one in the front passenger seat, the airbag will also protect the driver from a side collision coming from into the right of the vehicle.

The new centre side airbag is installed inside the driver’s seat and will deploy once the impact is sensed.

Hyundai says the technology is expected to reduce head injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other by 80%.

An airbag has an internal component called a tether, which allows it to maintain its form and withstand the passenger’s weight.

Hyundai has developed a new technology to simplify the design and reduce its weight by about 500g. Thanks to the smaller size of the airbag, the manufacturer’s design teams will also have more flexibility in the type of seat design they envision for future products.

“The development of centre side airbag goes beyond adding an additional airbag,” said Hyock In Kwon, research engineer from the crash safety system engineering design team at Hyundai.

“We will continue striving to further improve passenger safety by being ready for all kinds of accidents.”
 

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