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When consumers are considering buying their next vehicle, studies consistently show that the most important attribute they are seeking isn’t the most powerful engine or most advanced audio and navigation systems – it’s the safety features and overall safety rating that is top of mind. Not surprising considering we all put our most precious cargo, our family and friends, in our vehicles. Seeking a safe journey is second nature and while we all want to avoid accidents, there is no way around that they happen – and if they do, we all want to be protected. New Challenges – and New Opportunities Today we are facing a mobility revolution in the form of electric and autonomous vehicles that present potential new safety challenges but also new opportunities as cars become more networked with powerful high-performance central computers. Using advanced algorithms, they can evaluate valuable information from the vehicle environment and its interior and make it available to driver-assistance and safety systems. Armed with predictive information, chassis systems can steer or brake to help avoid an accident. If this is not possible, we can gain valuable milliseconds of time to activate the seatbelt or airbag earlier, bringing the occupants into a better seating position or deploying the airbags according to the actual seating position of the occupants and the severity of the crash.

Of course, we think more of our traditional private passenger vehicles in the context of safety, but new modes of transportation such as autonomous shuttles and robo-taxis will become more commonplace.  When it comes to driving services that are intended to rely on fully automated driving, many people are initially skeptical and ask themselves whether this technology is already mature and safe.

With every test mile, the electronic brains of these vehicles develop and learn to help avoid accidents within certain physical limits. However, safety also involves offering solutions that assist in worst-case scenarios. So, we develop restraint systems that can be used for new seating positions in autonomous transport. Our roof-installed overhead airbag systems make it possible to protect passengers sitting opposite one another in so-called "campfire" positions where passengers face one another. ZF is currently discussing projects like these with several manufacturers and for its own shuttle systems.

Seatbelts will play a critical role in the safe human interaction of the future. For example, if a driver is in automated mode with hands off the steering wheel, seatbelts can issue tactile warnings to the driver if they need to retake control of the vehicle in a critical situation.

While mobility is changing, one thing will remain constant: the need for protecting our precious cargo.

Chris Gorton (pictured, above left) is the director of Passive Safety Systems’ Customer Account Engineering / North America region for ZF.

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