Autoliv, Inc., the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, was announced as a winner of the prestigious 2014 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Award for innovative “green” inflator.

 

The “green” inflator ignites hydrogen, rather than pyrotechnic substances, and creates the combustion inside the airbag cushion rather than in a heavy inflator pressure vessel, allowing for the use of a much thinner container for the inflator. 

 

The result is an inflator that is twenty percent lighter, thirty percent less costly and ninety-nine percent smokeless, releasing but a few drops of pure water after deployment. The product was engineered by Autoliv employees located at the company’s Technical Center in Vårgarda, Sweden.

 

“This new inflator represents a collection of new inventions. The net result: a better, lighter, more environmentally friendly airbag that saves lives and reduces cost”, said Johan Löfvenholm, Autoliv’s Chief Technology Officer. “Our mission is focused on saving lives — and Autoliv is proud to champion continuous innovation within our industry.”

 

Autoliv together with Volvo Car were also recognized as “Innovation Partnership Award” winners for the Pedestrian Protection Airbag on the Volvo V40 and XC40. This new airbag aims to decrease the impact sustained by a pedestrian when coming in contact with the vehicle. 

 

In such a collision, the hood of the car would raise and a U-shaped airbag would deploy externally upon the windshield to cover the scuttle, A-pillars and lower parts of the windshield.

 

Autoliv previously won the PACE Award in 2000 for the Side Hybrid Gas Generator and in 2007 for the Safety Vent Airbag.

 

Sponsored by Automotive News, Ernst & Young and the Transportation Research Center, the 20th annual PACE awards program celebrates innovation by original-equipment suppliers in the development of new products and processes. The awards are judged independently and were announced at the 2014 PACE Awards banquet on April 7, 2014.

 

The 20th annual PACE Award was presented by Automotive News, EY and Transportation Research Center Inc. (TRC Inc.). The competition was open to suppliers who contribute products, processes, materials or services directly to the manufacture of cars or trucks. The Automotive News PACE Award is accepted around the world as the industry symbol of innovation.