Ford Introduces First Inflatable Seat Belts

**basti08** · July 13th, 2012 10:01 AM

New technology meant to help prevent head, chest and neck injuries for rear passengers

Ford is upping its safety quotient by being the first automaker to introduce inflatable seat belts.
The new technology helps spread crash force over the human body by as much as 5 times compared with the more concentrated area with a conventional seatbelt. The inflatable belts are designed for use in the rear-seats and are meant to help prevent critical head, chest and neck injuries, often by more vulnerable passengers such as children or the elderly.
The belts are inflated by a cold, compressed gas as opposed to how airbags work, which are blown up by a heat-making chemical reaction. Test subjects have also said that the belts feel more comfortable to wear, since they are softer. Ford claims the technology will also contribute to more rear seatbelt usage. The belts are compatible and can be used safely with all types of child seats too.
Ford says the inflatable belts will first be introduced in the next-generation Ford Explorer SUV which goes to production in 2010. The automaker says that the technology will eventually become available in most Ford models globally.

**niky** · July 13th, 2012 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by basti08

New technology meant to help prevent head, chest and neck injuries for rear passengers

Ford is upping its safety quotient by being the first automaker to introduce inflatable seat belts.
The new technology helps spread crash force over the human body by as much as 5 times compared with the more concentrated area with a conventional seatbelt. The inflatable belts are designed for use in the rear-seats and are meant to help prevent critical head, chest and neck injuries, often by more vulnerable passengers such as children or the elderly.
The belts are inflated by a cold, compressed gas as opposed to how airbags work, which are blown up by a heat-making chemical reaction. Test subjects have also said that the belts feel more comfortable to wear, since they are softer. Ford claims the technology will also contribute to more rear seatbelt usage. The belts are compatible and can be used safely with all types of child seats too.
Ford says the inflatable belts will first be introduced in the next-generation Ford Explorer SUV which goes to production in 2010. The automaker says that the technology will eventually become available in most Ford models globally.

Covered this during the Explorer launch. The 2.0 Explorer will be the first car to have this locally.

Too bad there's no way to "test" the inflatable belts...

**basti08** · July 13th, 2012 10:27 AM

at one point, i thought, wouldn't those inflatable things kill you in claustrophobia instead or suffocation perhaps? hahaha

you have front, side, curtain airbags at almost all sides of the car plus this inflatable belts :D

**istan** · July 13th, 2012 03:02 PM

Over ka naman... Magdeflate naman sila after impact. These are not airtight.

**pop3corn** · July 13th, 2012 05:16 PM

parang kalang siguro sinuntok ng sabay-sabay nyan sa muka, sa gilid, sa ribs

**numbah5** · July 13th, 2012 09:38 PM

Both the 2.0 Ecoboost GTDi Explorer XLT and the 2013 3.5 V6 Explorer Limited has this feature. Thumbs up for Ford!

**AG4** · July 14th, 2012 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by pop3corn

parang kalang siguro sinuntok ng sabay-sabay nyan sa muka, sa gilid, sa ribs

The inflatable seatbelts are for the rear passengers who don't get (frontal) airbags.

PS: Like what numbah5 said, the (updated) local spec Explorer Limited model now also has this feature.

**germs** · July 14th, 2012 03:29 PM

Doesn't the LFA have something like this too?

**AG4** · July 15th, 2012 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by germs

Doesn't the LFA have something like this too?

Yes they do.

The Lexus LFA, which is available this month, will feature new inflatable seat belt technology.

The Takata "Airbelt," or SRS Seat Belt Airbag, is built into the webbing of the seat belt. It's designed to protect drivers and front-seat passengers in front- or side-impact collisions.

From the looks of it, and a description of how it works, the airbag will fill up with air on impact. It looks strikingly similar to the inflatable rear seat belts revealed last summer from Ford for the 2011 Ford Explorer.

- Lexus LFA to feature new 'Airbelt,' a seat belt airbag | The Car Tech blog - CNET Reviews