Toyota has developed the world's first ever rear window airbag that will be featured on Toyota's upcoming iQ minicar.
The rear airbag is stored in the headliner above the rear window and unfolds rapidly during a rear impact to protect the rear passenger. The bag is designed to protect the rear passenger's head and neck during a rear impact. Judging by the amount of metal between the rear seat and the rear of the iQ this looks like a much needed safety feature. Hopefully other small cars will adopt a similar safety feature.
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PRESS RELEASE:
TOYOTA DEVELOPS WORLD'S FIRST REAR WINDOW CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAG
Toyota announced today that it has developed the world's first* SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) rear window curtain shield airbag to protect rear passengers' heads in the event of a rear-end collision.
The innovative airbag deploys from the roof lining above the rear window in the form of a curtain-like barrier. Together with the headrests, the airbag minimises impact to the head from a colliding vehicle or parts of the hit vehicle, thus helping to reduce the severity of injuries. Its use in the soon-to-be launched "iQ" ultra-compact four-seater is expected to approximately double the car's rear passenger head protection performance.
Toyota has continued to actively develop and make available its collision safety technologies – resulting in such achievements as the swift market introduction of SRS curtain shield and knee airbags – to enable its vehicles to better respond to a greater range of accidents.
As a part of its efforts to realise sustainable mobility, Toyota intends to strengthen its traffic safety initiatives in the future through: 1) the development of even safer vehicles and technologies; 2) participation in the creation of a safe traffic environment and 3) activities designed to educate people on traffic safety, thereby contributing to the complete elimination of traffic casualties, which can be viewed as the ultimate hope of a society that values mobility.
*According to TMC research, as of September 2008
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Comments (13)
that is very sociable, having an airbag for the cars behind you!
Posted by lowest iq | September 30, 2008 9:51 PM
Posted on September 30, 2008 21:51
What's next on cars rear passenger front airbags?
Posted by SteelCity1981 | October 1, 2008 12:28 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 00:28
"What's next on cars rear passenger front airbags?"
Sure... why not?
Posted by Anonymous | October 1, 2008 5:44 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 05:44
how bout higher standards for giving out drivers licenses?
instead of making the car more idiot resistant and adding ridiculous amounts of weight and crap that goes wrong, why can't we just remove the idiots from the roads...
Posted by :( | October 1, 2008 6:26 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 06:26
"Smart" car. "iQ". God, the smug levels are increasing worldwide.
Posted by Nick | October 1, 2008 6:39 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 06:39
OK, these airbags are getting a little out of control.
Posted by sabby | October 1, 2008 7:41 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 07:41
Sabby...I can't tell if that's a serious post or not..
Would be a strange thing to say, "That car is way too survivable for my tastes".
How can any reasonable person actually complain about having a lot of airbags? The whole point is to keep drivers alive. Lets see, do I want a nylon bag whacking the back of my neck, or a wall of glass and steal...hmmm.
If I had my kid driving that, I would not mind when every square cm was air bagged.
Posted by patrick | October 1, 2008 11:22 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 11:22
Why not just have each seat having a overhead air bag "doughnut" that explodes down upon the passenger/driver? That way, you simply get totally covered no matter what side of the car you were hit. Can you imagine. Wow, a first for toyota. I can't wait for future Consumer Reports testing....
"Toyota recommended because of superior protection for rear seats".
"America (insert brand here) not recommended due to no standard rear seat airbags. But we didn't order the option that was available for testing...."
lol...
Posted by sparky | October 1, 2008 11:25 AM
Posted on October 1, 2008 11:25
I have a feeling that if they do put this on the market when accidents do happen for the back passengers if they get wiplash I can totally see a huge lawsuit the likes of which could even completely bankrupt toyota lol ... maybe
Posted by red87bmw | October 1, 2008 5:12 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 17:12
how bout higher standards for giving out drivers licenses?
instead of making the car more idiot resistant and adding ridiculous amounts of weight and crap that goes wrong, why can't we just remove the idiots from the roads...
its amazing what little effort it takes to get a license to drive a 3500lb piece of metal at 65mph...
Posted by nobody | October 1, 2008 5:46 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 17:46
"its amazing what little effort it takes to get a license to drive a 3500lb piece of metal at 65mph..."
What's more amazing is how many kids I know are failing these tests multiple times and yet they're still on the road driving...
Posted by DatMan | October 1, 2008 8:10 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 20:10
"its amazing what little effort it takes to get a license to drive a 3500lb piece of metal at 65mph..."
What's more amazing is how many kids I know are failing these tests multiple times and yet they're still on the road driving...
Posted by DatMan | October 1, 2008 8:12 PM
Posted on October 1, 2008 20:12
Isn't this why adjustable head-rests were invented.
Posted by 426Hemi | October 5, 2008 12:23 AM
Posted on October 5, 2008 00:23