[Welcome to NBA Jam]

The biggest danger in airbags has been the fact that they deploy towards you. The idea of an airbag that deploys away from you has been studied for some time now, and has even been used for aviation applications. Just like every new technology, it has trickled its way down into the automotive market, and Citroen has silently been the first to jump on it.

TRW has invented the first roof-mounted passenger airbag that deploys outward, using the windshield as a guide. Rather than ripping from the dash and deploying upward and towards you, the airbag resides in the headliner and deploys away from you to provide the same protection with much less danger.

In addition, this allows for much more unique dashboard designs, and increases the amount of space in the cabin.

http://ir.trw.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=579328

Dirk Schultz, engineering director for TRW's Inflatable Restraint Systems commented: "Occupant safety systems are becoming increasingly versatile. With the increasing focus on reducing road fatalities, we need to develop new ways to enhance the protection of occupants — one area of focus is the design and configuration of airbags. TRW's new roof airbag system is a unique development and studies have shown that such a technology provides enhanced styling flexibility for future vehicle interiors in combination with excellent restraint performance."

In addition, this new design concept enhances development efficiency: by eliminating the need to package a passenger airbag in the instrument panel, TRW's bag in roof design can significantly reduce the development costs of the dashboard as there is no need to develop a specific 'door' that opens with the airbag deployment. It is also functionally compatible with a wide range of vehicle architectures.

The airbag unit comprises a cushion and a gas generator which supplies the gas to the cushion in the event of an impact. The product offers easy assembly with opportunities for standardization as some of the components are common to all applications.

TRW has undertaken pre-development work for the bag in roof technology for several years, and over the previous two years in close collaboration with a major European vehicle manufacturer. This has resulted in the award of a significant production contract with the vehicle manufacturer.

Check it out in action on the new Citroen C4 Cactus here:

I'm surprised Mercedes and BMW did not look into this idea first, as they've traditionally been pioneers in implementing new safety technologies.

[MikeyV]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

I'm surprised Mercedes and BMW did not look into this idea first, as they've traditionally been pioneers in implementing new safety technologies.

Ah what safety technologies has BMW pioneered? It's been Volvo, Mercedes and sadly now gone Saab who have been at the cutting edge of vehicle safety.

I'm really impressed by this new front airbag, it will make it a lot safer for smaller people and larger children to ride in the front passenger seat.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

I'm surprised Mercedes and BMW did not look into this idea first, as they've traditionally been pioneers in implementing new safety technologies.

Nah! Mercedes yeah, but BMW not. And BMW is not the only, Volvo and Citroen had also always been.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Wasn't BMW one of the first to implement stability control along with Mercedes, as well as the inflatable tubular structure?