World's first inflatable car seat belt unveiled by Ford

By Cher Thornhill
Last updated at 10:40 PM on 06th November 2009

Ford is gearing up to become the first motoring company to introduce inflatable seat belts in its cars.

The technology, which combines the safety benefits of a traditional seat belt and airbag, will provide additional protection to rear-seat passengers.

It is set to debut on the next-generation Ford Explorer, which goes into production in the U.S. next year, before being introduced to all of Ford vehicles worldwide.

The seat belt inflates over the shoulder and torso in a mere 40 milliseconds

In the event of a crash, the belts inflate over the torso and shoulder in just 40 milliseconds.

They exert pressure over five times more body area than conventional seat belts.

This force helps hold the passenger in the safest sitting position, reduce pressure on the chest and limit movement to the head and neck.

In everyday use, the inflatable belts work like conventional belts and can be safely used with children's safety and booster seats.

Indeed, more than 90 per cent of people who tested them said the seat belts were similar to or even more comfortable than traditional versions.

On impact, safety sensors gauge the severity of a collision and, when necessary, fill the belts' air bags with cold compressed gas that is stored below the seat.

On impact the belts' air bags are filled with compressed gas that is stored below the seat

The air bag breaks through the belt fabric as it fills with air and expands across the body about as quickly as it takes a car travelling on a motorway to cover a yard.

Sue Cischke, Vice President of Sustainability, Environmental and Safety Engineering at Ford, said the new belts would improve safety for all rear-seat passengers.

She said: 'Ford's rear inflatable seat belt technology will enhance safety for rear-seat passengers of all ages, especially for young children who are more vulnerable in crashes.

'This is another unique family technology that builds on our safety leadership, including the most top safety ratings of any car manufacturer.' 

Ford was the first car manufacturer to introduce seat belts in 1955 and led the way in making driver and front-passenger air bags standard in most vehicles by 1993.