This is the world's first example of new kind of airbag and it's poised to take vehicle safety a real step further

A company has given the airbag a radical redesign to create the world’s first helmet airbag that is built into the vehicle’s seats.

Safety features in cars are still a relatively new addition, with vehicles like the 1950s Sir Vival helping to pave the way for safer driving.

Thankfully, things have come a long way in recent decades, and carmakers are doing more and more to make their vehicles safer, from adaptive headlights to tech updates like lane change assistance.

And over in China, automakers have built the first-ever helmet-style airbag that goes a lot further than current airbags.

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The helmet-style airbag protects the head, neck, shoulders, and spine

The new helmet airbag is designed to protect the head, neck, shoulders, and spine and is deployed alongside side airbags. 

The airbags, which are embedded in the seats, will go off if a crash is detected and effectively envelop the occupant, helping to keep them safe. 

In addition to the airbags, the new system can detect if a seat is reclined during a crash via Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, and will safely return it to its upright position in milliseconds – all of which help to protect the occupants.

The seat architecture also supports large-angle reclining, rotation, and sliding, which are aimed at improving cabin flexibility.

The technology was first showcased by Yanfeng Automotive Interior Systems in 2023. 

But according to recent reports from China, the first car to introduce the new safety feature has been revealed. 

The first car to feature the helmet airbags

Although the new safety tech was unveiled a couple of years back, recent reports suggest that it will go into mass production soon, as it’s set to be launched in its first vehicle.

The helmet airbag will reportedly be introduced into the upcoming Luxeed V9 electric minivan, making it the first vehicle to feature the new safety system.

As yet, Luxeed hasn’t confirmed the reports, but we won’t have too long to wait to find out because the EV is set to launch into the Chinese market early next year. 

Luxeed is a joint venture between Huawei and Chery, and the V9 minivan will be powered by a Huawei-developed powertrain on the Chery-devised E0X modular architecture. 

It will be offered as both a standard EV and as an extended range model.

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