Hyundai Motor Group has developed a new centre side airbag which works to separate the space between driver and passenger.

The group said it would introduce the technology in upcoming Hyundai and Kia brand vehicles. 

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This new, additional airbag expands into the space between driver and passenger seats to prevent head injuries of passengers in the front row.

If there is no one in the front passenger seat, the airbag will protect the driver from side collision coming from the right side. The centre side airbag is installed inside the driver's seat and will deploy once the impact is sensed.

The new centre side airbag is expected to diminish head injuries caused by passengers colliding with each other by 80%.

According to European Automobile Manufacturers Association data, the rate of secondary damage caused by these kinds of collisions or from hitting interior materials is about 45%.

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HMG has applied newly patented technology to maintain reliability but reduce the weight and size of the airbag.

The airbag has an internal component called tether which allows the airbag to maintain its form and withstand the passenger's weight.

HMG has developed a new technology to simplify the design and reduce the weight of component produce an airbag which is about 500g lighter than the competing products. Thanks to the smaller size of the airbag, the group's design teams will have more flexibility in the type of seat design they envision for future products.

Upcoming Euro NCAP is expected to include side impact into its consideration beginning in 2020 and HMG's airbag is expected to work favourably in such evaluation, the automaker said.