Autoliv Inc, the worldwide leader in vehicle safety systems, has announced the development of a new front centre airbag designed to save lives in side-impact crash situations. The airbag was showcased at the recent Autoliv's capital markets day at Ogden, Utah. The newly developed Autoliv front centre airbag will be introduced in 19 car models in 2020.

The head is one of the most frequently injured body regions in any road collision potentially resulting in devastating long-term consequences for the victim. For side collisions from the opposite side, the passenger may hit the vehicle interior or the other front seat passenger, sustaining injuries to the head and chest. To improve protection for these injuries, Euro NCAP has introduced the far-side load case in the rating programme from January 1, 2020. 

The new Autoliv front centre airbag helps avoid driver-to-interior and driver-to-passenger impact. The inboard seat mounted airbag deploys in the space between the driver and the front-seat passenger, providing protection for them from colliding during a side impact and reduces risk of trauma to head, shoulder and chest.

"Research indicates that the new front centre airbag can reduce injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other by up to 80 per cent. If there is no one in the front passenger seat, the airbag will offer enhanced driver protection from a far-side collision. It is a technology innovation that underlines Autoliv's commitment to saving lives and preventing injuries on the roads across the world," says Scott Dershem, Autoliv vice president of development.