Ford: Developing Inflatable Seat Belts

Moog-Type-S · 11-05-2009, 2:08 PM

Quote:

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Ford Motor Co. said Thursday that it will begin equipping certain vehicles with inflatable seat belts that the company says will help prevent injuries in auto accidents.

The inflatable rear seat belts will be available next year on the next-generation Explorers and will become more widespread over time, Ford said in a press release.

The inflatable belt's increased diameter helps hold rear seat passengers in the appropriate seating position, which will help reduce head, neck and chest injuries, according to Ford.

"Ford is pioneering inflatable seat belt technology to help enhance crash safety protection, while encouraging more people to buckle up with a more comfortable belt," Paul Mascarenas, Ford's vice president engineering and global product development, said in a statement.

According to Ford's research, 90% of drivers indicated that the inflatable belts are similar to or more comfortable than traditional belts.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/05/auto...ion=2009110511

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Sly Raskal · 11-05-2009, 2:13 PM

I hope they remember to make them in XXXL sizes.

Moog-Type-S · 11-05-2009, 2:19 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN5htEaRk4A

Cool vid on the inflatable seatbelts.

I Go To Costco · 11-05-2009, 3:54 PM

^so cool that you posted it twice?

Why didn't somebody come up with this earlier? I can imagine this being way more comfortable (at least in a crash) simply based on the increased surface area that the inflated seat belt has.

Anyways

Moog-Type-S · 11-05-2009, 4:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Go To Costco

^so cool that you posted it twice?

Why didn't somebody come up with this earlier? I can imagine this being way more comfortable (at least in a crash) simply based on the increased surface area that the inflated seat belt has.

Anyways

When I was younger I was envolved in a head on collision....idiot pulled a left turn at an intersection in front of my mom ....I was in the front seat.

I got a nasty bruise that went across my chest down to my hip from the 3-point seat belt...got the wind knocked out of me....an inflateable seatbelt will do wonders in wrecks like this.

Colin · 11-05-2009, 4:36 PM

I'm sure some form of autopilot is next

zot09 · 11-11-2009, 3:02 AM

So it's kind of like an airbag for the seatbelt?

If that's the case, Ford is already behind. The Lexus LFA is equipped with them.

AsianRage · 11-11-2009, 3:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zot09

So it's kind of like an airbag for the seatbelt?

If that's the case, Ford is already behind. The Lexus LFA is equipped with them.

Yes, but that's a FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS car. Ford's making it available on (most likely) cars that regular people can afford to buy.

majin ssj eric · 11-11-2009, 8:55 AM

Lol, good point!

**SiGGy** · 11-11-2009, 9:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly Raskal

I hope they remember to make them in XXXL sizes.

They could just sell the upgrades at McDonalds

Moog-Type-S · 11-11-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zot09

So it's kind of like an airbag for the seatbelt?

If that's the case, Ford is already behind. The Lexus LFA is equipped with them.

SG81 · 11-11-2009, 12:14 PM

Ford

JS + TL · 11-11-2009, 1:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zot09

So it's kind of like an airbag for the seatbelt?

If that's the case, Ford is already behind. The Lexus LFA is equipped with them.

You are so dumb

**csmeance** · 11-11-2009, 2:54 PM

so what happens if you tug on the seatbelt too hard, boom!

zot09 · 11-11-2009, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AsianRage

Yes, but that's a FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS car. Ford's making it available on (most likely) cars that regular people can afford to buy.

What I was trying to say is that this technology is available, and that it isn't something new that was created by Ford as the article suggests. That's all.

I'm glad Ford is equipping normal cars with such advanced safety technology.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JS + TL

You are so dumb

fuck you

sho_nuff1997 · 11-11-2009, 4:03 PM

This is a good idea.

Moog-Type-S · 11-11-2009, 4:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmeance

so what happens if you tug on the seatbelt too hard, boom!

sorta like when you punch your steering wheel too hard, boom!

phee · 11-11-2009, 5:18 PM

why is this thread so funny?

AcuraTL_driver · 11-11-2009, 5:36 PM

Because YOU are reading it, lol. And because of the "Airplane" reference, lol.

Colin · 11-11-2009, 7:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AcuraTL_driver

Because YOU are reading it, lol. And because of the "Airplane" reference, lol.

LOL, and here I thought my pic went unnoticed! Remember that the "manual inflation device" is on the autopilot's belt

11-05-2009, 2:13 PM	#2
Sly Raskal L'eggo my LEGO! 2008 Audi A4 My Garage Trader Rating: (1) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Phillips Ranch, California Age: 32 Posts: 22,029	I hope they remember to make them in XXXL sizes. __________________ LEGO Quotes: 06/01/2006 by Moog-Type-S 04/02/2007 by Whiskers 07/13/2007 by Scottman111

11-05-2009, 4:36 PM	#6
Colin Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Hawaii Posts: 3,886	I'm sure some form of autopilot is next __________________ "The Internet gives everyone an equal voice, but not everyone says things of equal value."

11-11-2009, 3:02 AM	#7
zot09 SN2 FTW Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Monterey/Irvine, CA Age: 22 Posts: 546	So it's kind of like an airbag for the seatbelt? If that's the case, Ford is already behind. The Lexus LFA is equipped with them. __________________ 2006 ASM & Ebony w/ Navi. Soon: -New Car </3...135i?

11-11-2009, 8:55 AM	#9
majin ssj eric Punk Rocker Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: St Simons Island, GA Age: 30 Posts: 1,789	Lol, good point! __________________ '08 Infiniti G37S 6MT black/black w/nav '06 Lexus IS350 6AT white/black w/nav '97 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer

11-11-2009, 12:14 PM	#12
SG81 McNabb 4 MVP! Trader Rating: (1) Join Date: May 2004 Location: Toronto Age: 28 Posts: 9,248	Ford __________________ '03 black CL-S 6MT Comptech Icebox Comptech Headers Comptech Cat-Back Exhaust H&R Sport Springs Rotora Front & Rear Slotted Rotors S/S Brake Lines Genuine BMW M5 Trunk Lip Alpine DVD HU & Rear Camera

11-11-2009, 2:54 PM	#14
csmeance Moderator Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Daytona Beach FL Posts: 11,818	so what happens if you tug on the seatbelt too hard, boom! __________________ 2004 TL NAVI Auto. - SSM/Quartz l Comptech Swaybar l Hacked Nav l Carputer W/ Factory Nav l TV+NAV2Go l USA-SPEC l DVD Player l Switchblade Key l Chrome Strips l RB Slotted Rotors l A-Spec Brakes l Zaino'ed Always l 2007 MDX Sport/Entertainment - NGM/Taupe l Crossbars + Roof Rails l Front + Rear Garnish l Auto Day-Night Mirror l All Season Mats l Zaino'ed Always l 2006 BMW 760Li - Alpine White/Ebony-Ivory Two Tone lZaino'ed Always l

11-11-2009, 4:03 PM	#16
sho_nuff1997 Alphabet restored 2004 Acura TL My Garage Trader Rating: (2) Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: WI Age: 32 Posts: 10,047	This is a good idea.

11-11-2009, 5:36 PM	#19
AcuraTL_driver Busting some beats... 2004 Acura TL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Columbus, GA Age: 23 Posts: 376	Because YOU are reading it, lol. And because of the "Airplane" reference, lol. __________________ 2004 Redondo Red Pearl Acura TL Fujita CAI, Tein S-Tech springs, P2R spacer, Progressive rear sway bar and four things sitting in boxes...... >:)