'Curtain Airbag Unfolding Upwards Under the Car in Just 0.03 Seconds'... World’s First Reveal

Hyundai Mobis Unveils World's First PBV-Dedicated Airbag

A dedicated airbag for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs), mainly used for cargo transportation such as delivery services, has been developed. It reflects the characteristics of PBVs, which have a more spacious interior and can be designed in various forms compared to regular passenger cars. As PBV services are expected to expand mainly among transportation companies from next year onwards, the demand for safety technologies is also anticipated to increase.

Hyundai Mobis unveiled door-mounted curtain airbags and self-supporting passenger seat airbags on the 18th. The company explained that these airbags are world-first technologies that meet various safety standards in advanced overseas markets such as North America.

Hyundai Mobis' world-first door-mounted curtain airbag deployment. It inflates from bottom to top along the wire in just 0.03 seconds.

Hyundai Mobis' door-mounted curtain airbag, developed as the world's first, deploying. It inflates from bottom to top along the wire in just 0.03 seconds.
[Photo by Hyundai Mobis]

The door-mounted airbag’s most distinctive feature is that it inflates from bottom to top. Unlike curtain airbags that deploy from the top down inside vehicle doors, this airbag uses a wire system for the first time. The cushion unfolds along wires installed on both sides of the airbag to prevent passengers from falling out of the window. The company stated that it meets the North American National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s ejection mitigation standards.

PBVs mainly use hinged doors for the rear seats. Since there is a structure on the ceiling that closes the door, there is not enough space to install airbags there. In this case, door-mounted airbags are effective. Lee Gyusang, head of Hyundai Mobis Passenger Safety Research Lab, said, “Since PBVs for RoboRide emphasize openness and have larger side windows, we expect to introduce more advanced passenger safety devices in the future.”

The self-supporting airbag developed by Hyundai Mobis absorbs impact solely through the support at the bottom of the airbag without the cushion touching the front windshield. Comparison between the existing passenger airbag (left) and the self-supporting airbag (right)
[Photo by Hyundai Mobis]

The self-supporting airbag absorbs impact solely through support from its lower part after inflation. Sedans or sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have front windshields angled about 30 degrees that support the inflated cushion. PBVs, however, have windshields that are farther away and perpendicular in shape. Due to this structural difference, new technology was applied. The cushion is pressed against the front crash pad and the airbag is fixed in place.

The principle is that the airbag protects passengers by support only between the cushion and the front part without touching the front windshield. The company explained that it has secured a high safety rating according to the North American New Car Assessment Program standards. Hyundai Mobis stated, “We will develop airbags tailored to customer interior designs that suit the PBV’s characteristic of flexible seat positions and passenger orientations.”