Automotive executives, suppliers and regulators have been promising for years autonomous driving technology will prevent the vast majority of accidents. Alone, however, it is not enough, and neither is the old airbag. The concept of Life Cell is gaining ground: that's what it is.
Although AI behind the wheel would be more reliable than humans, autonomous driving systems are absolutely unable to eliminate all accidents, especially in the early stages of their use.
Occasionally tomorrow's cars will crash and injuries will occur. But, as mentioned, our best defense, the trusty airbag, may not work as well to protect us if the open-plan interiors we've seen on the concept cars are a reality. The airbag will need a facelift.
Life Cell, the evolution of security
Modern airbags make early examples from the 70s look primitive. They receive input from dozens of safety sensors to adjust inflation based on occupant size, seat position, seat belt use and crash severity.
In today's cars they are strategically placed around our seats to protect the chest, pelvis, neck and knees in the event of an accident. But these airbags are designed for people sitting upright facing forward, not for those lying down or facing the back seat. In other words, the most proven cab models for the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow.
Anticipating this future, the Swedish company Autoliv has devised an airbag prototype that will protect occupants regardless of their orientation. It is called Life Cell.
An inflatable shield
Life Cell is, in fact, a "monobloc" shell that protrudes directly from the headrest and side cushions of each seat, forming a padded shield.
More: a kind of cage around the upper part of the passenger's body. The current design phase of Life Cell aims above all to identify the extent of the protection and the operating mechanism.
It will make sense in Level 5 self-driving vehicles. I don't expect to see it in production vehicles for quite some time, but it could inspire improvements to current airbags as well.
For example, Autoliv designs a shield also for pedestrians, which inflates outwards starting from the windshield, avoiding serious consequences for the head of a person hit.
