Ford's New Inflatable Seatbelt Technology

The Ford Motor Company said it will introduce second-row inflatable seatbelts, a technology that may eventually find its way into production vehicles, on its concept vehicles at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

In a statement, the automaker said the patent-pending technology is based on recent advances in airbag inflation and construction that allows the deployment of a small tubular-shaped bag inside a shoulder belt during a crash. Ford says the new belts may help reduce head motion and whiplash injuries as well as spread impact forces across the chest, thus reducing injuries to the torso.

Ford's new concept vehicles will also take the automaker's BeltMinder technology into the second-row seats. The system, which intermittently beeps until occupants buckle up, has been standard for front-row passengers. Ford says the system results in 5-percent greater seatbelt use.
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