Ford said it would offer its patented inflatable safety belt technology to other companies and industries, including rival automotive manufacturers.
The automaker first used the technology, supplied by Key Safety Systems, in the second row of its three row, seven seat Explorer SUV.
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According to Ford, the availability of licences may lead to the wider adoption of inflatable safety belts as other automakers seek to enhance passenger safety.
“The technology is potentially applicable to other forms of seated passenger transportation, including military use, and airborne passengers traveling by helicopter or airplane, and even for water travel.”
Inflatable belts are fitted in a flat-bed business class suite design used in Virgin Atlantic and Air New Zealand aircraft. The belts enable passengers to recline their seats during take-off and landing in contrast to the ‘seat backs upright’ mandate on rival airlines.
“Ford’s longstanding commitment to democratising technology goes beyond our customers,” said Ford Global Technologies head Bill Coughlin.
“In this case, the wider adoption of inflatable safety belts has the potential to make travel safer and help mitigate passenger injuries – especially among children and the elderly.”
In a vehicle crash, the inflatable safety belt deploys over a vehicle occupant’s torso and shoulder to help distribute crash forces up to five times more area than a traditional safety belt. Spreading the pressure over a larger area helps reduce pressure on the passenger’s chest, and helps control head and neck motion.
The inflatable safety belt is currently available in Ford’s Explorer, Flex, Fusion and upcoming 2015 F-150 truck line, as well as the Lincoln MKT and MKZ models – for outboard second-row seating positions.
