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ZF Lifetec has unveiled a heel airbag aimed at reducing the risk of severe ankle and foot injuries for front-seat occupants in the event of a crash.
In the case of a frontal collision, the airbag deploys near the feet of both the passenger and driver, cushioning the impact and enhancing stability to minimize potential harm to the lower extremities, according to ZF Lifetec.
The company, which was formerly ZF Group’s passive safety systems division, now operates as a stand-alone unit. The supplier claims that this airbag is a world first and plans to make it available starting in 2028.
By 2028, a growing number of vehicles are expected to offer autonomous driving capabilities. With this advancement, drivers will be able to adopt more relaxed seating positions. However, this shift poses a challenge for ensuring the safety of the driver’s feet and ankles in the event of a collision.
ZF Lifetec envisions activating the heel airbag through a “comfort position button” or a camera-based system that monitors the interior during assisted driving. In this mode, the pedals are retracted, and the heel airbag provides a stable contact surface for the foot in the event of a crash.
When a passenger reclines to a more comfortable position, like during a long trip, the risk of injury to the lower body increases. The safety of the legs, knees, and feet during a crash depends heavily on their positioning, according to the supplier.
Though injuries to the feet and ankles are rarely life-threatening, they can lead to long-term damage to the musculoskeletal system, ZF Lifetec said.
Harald Lutz, head of development at ZF Lifetec, noted in a statement that the goal of the heel airbag is to ensure a proper heel impact point, regardless of the seating position. If the impact point is misaligned, the knee airbag will not function effectively, reducing its ability to prevent injury.
ZF said that the heel airbag can be easily integrated into nearly any vehicle model by placing it directly in the footwell without requiring extra space.
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