Hyundai Motor Group announced the development and future commercialization of the world’s first multi-collision airbag system that significantly improves airbag performance in multi-collision accidents. The new system offers additional protection during secondary impacts.
Hyundai’s new technology operates through detecting occupant’s position in the car following an initial collision. Current airbag systems do not offer a secondary position when the initial impact is insufficient to cause them to deploy. However, the multi-collision airbag system allows airbags to deploy effectively upon a secondary impact by calibrating the status of the vehicle and the occupants, providing additional safety when drivers and passengers are most vulnerable.
“By improving airbag performance in multi-collision scenarios, we expect to significantly improve the safety of our drivers and passengers,” said Taesoo Chi, head of Chassis Technology Center at Hyundai Motor Group. “We will continue our research on more diverse crash situations as part of our commitment to producing even safer vehicles that protect occupants and prevent injuries.”
The leading type of multi-collision accidents involved cars crossing over the centre line (30.8%), followed by collisions caused by a sudden stop at highway tollgates (13.5%), highway median strip collisions (8.0%), and sideswiping and collision with trees and electric poles (4.0%).
Hyundai Motor Group analyzed multi-collision scenarios in multilateral ways to improve airbag performance and precision in secondary collisions. They plan to implement the system in new Hyundai and Kia vehicles in the future.