Cars may have another airbag (1 photo)

Front and side airbags in new cars, with rare exceptions, have become the norm, and knee airbags and airbags between the front seats are becoming more common. However, in the foreseeable future, another option may be included in the equipment of cars. The ZF Lifetec company has prepared an airbag for the heels!



The developers claim that for the correct operation of the currently used passive safety systems, including knee airbags, the legs of the driver and front passenger need a reliable support, which also ensures a predictable position of the knee joint for both contact with the airbag and for optimal load distribution.

But with the development of autonomous driving systems, manufacturers will allow drivers to move their seats into a more relaxed position, depriving their feet of contact with the surface, such as an unfolded ottoman, for example. This, in turn, can lead to more serious injuries to the lower limbs in the event of an accident. This is where the front passenger heel airbag comes in handy, providing inflatable support in the area where the engine shield and the bottom of the car meet.

The new ZF Lifetec development will be available for commercial use from 2028.