Volvo Creates Pedestrian Airbag for V40

The Volvo V40Volvo V40 (modern) Gen.1Sweden, 2013 > present214 versions
390 photos
will be the first production car in the world equipped with a pedestrian airbag. The system has seven sensors that detect if the car hits someone and deploys an airbag around the windshield for their production protection.

The sensors work by detecting if the car has hit a leg and deploying if it has. The hood is equipped with explosive bolts that release when the system is activated that allows the air bag to lift the hood 10cm within a few milliseconds. That gives room for the hood to deform around pedestrians and prevent them from hitting the hard parts of the engine bay. 

The system will only activate between 20km/h and 50km/h. 

"We are proud to be able to offer a car with an airbag for pedestrians. The purpose of the airbag is to help protect pedestrians in certain situations when they impact the bonnet and the area around the windscreen wiper recess and A-pillar, where there may be a risk of serious head injuries," said Thomas Broberg, Safety Adviser at VolvoVolvoSweden, 1927 > present49 models
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. 

Volvo says that pedestrian traffic deaths are 25% of traffic fatalities in China, 14% in Europe and 12% in the US, plus even more injuries. Volvo says that the pedestrian air bag will prevent many of these deaths.