Holden leads world-first airbag program

[Reaper]

David Hassell
4 October 2011
http://www.goauto.com.au

Holden engineers in Australia led the development of a world-first front-seat centre airbag that will debut globally in the US within a year and could be a key innovation in the next-generation VF Commodore due in 2014.

General Motors' groundbreaking front centre airbag deploys from the inboard side of the driver's seat to separate the driver and front seat passenger in the event of a side impact, offering vital head protection.

The new airbag development represents a coup for GM worldwide, stealing a march over European premium brands that pride themselves on being the leaders in the critical area of safety innovation.

Although Mercedes showed a similar system in an ESV (experimental safety vehicle) two years ago - about the same time Toyota presented a rear-seat version - GM claims its front centre airbag will be the first into series production.

Engineers at GM Holden developed the technology in conjunction with the acclaimed Monash University Accident Research Centre (MUARC) in Melbourne before handing the project over to Detroit for production engineering.

The life-saving device will be introduced around the third quarter next year on three US domestic mid-size crossover models - the 2013 model year Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevrolet Traverse - built at GM's Lansing, Michigan, plant.

Holden's lead role in the program was revealed to GoAuto this week by GM Holden director of external communications Emily Perry.

Ms Perry said that Holden Innovation - which was then a standalone think-tank but is now under Holden's general engineering umbrella - initiated the 'advance program' in 2006 and continued working on it until 2008, working with GM's US seat supplier.

"An advanced engineering team from Holden Innovation led the research and development of this safety technology and then handed it over to the safety group in North America to continue the work," she said.

"Research showed that far-side impact injuries represent nearly 40 per cent of all side impact injuries, but this area of research was lagging other occupant safety R&D.

"So the Holden Innovation team was aiming to advance understanding far-side restraint systems and develop new occupant protection systems for these types of accidents."

Ms Perry said Holden was studying the prospect of incorporating the airbag into locally produced models.

Click here to continue article

[Gravity]

Good work, Holden.

[Crisis63]

Its devices such as this that contribute to the reduction of the road toll more than a hundred speed cameras ever can. Instead of the government making excuses for them and patting themselves on the back they should acknowledge the impact technology has had.

[davey g-force]

Typical - so we don't yet get the technology here in Australia - even when we helped develop it!!

[Rufys]

Typical - so we don't yet get the technology here in Australia - even when we helped develop it!!

Camaro anyone?

[Gravity]

We will get it in the VF I guess.

[SilverVH]

Good work, Holden.

Although Mercedes showed a similar system in an ESV (experimental safety vehicle) two years ago – about the same time Toyota presented a rear-seat version – GM claims its front centre airbag will be the first into series production.


Good work for stealing another car manufacturers idea?

[Static89]

Although Mercedes showed a similar system in an ESV (experimental safety vehicle) two years ago – about the same time Toyota presented a rear-seat version – GM claims its front centre airbag will be the first into series production.


Good work for stealing another car manufacturers idea?

That's what I call, pulling a Steve jobs.

[Reaper]

Typical - so we don't yet get the technology here in Australia - even when we helped develop it!!

From what I understand it is slated for the next Commodore. From memory it is sold to the Australian market.

Reaper

[one_and_only2004]

That's what I call, pulling a Steve jobs.

They call that dying these days.

It's one thing to put something in a stupid concept model, but it's actually useful when it's put in a car that will actually see the road.

[GRPABT1]

Chalk another one up for Holden, well done. Funny though, has anyone ever seen the movie "demolition man"? I remember when the futuristic car was in a crash it instantly filled with expanding foam encasing the drive lol, won't be long and that might be a reality haha

[DSLXIK]

I think that if a European car company didn't feel like the idea was developed enough to implement it, what makes holden think their engineering is better?

[Reaper]

I think that if a European car company didn't feel like the idea was developed enough to implement it, what makes holden think their engineering is better?

I presume if it works and makes it into mainstream production (ie cars that the general public can afford) then it's worth crowing about.

Reaper

[kuzman89]

Good work for stealing another car manufacturers idea?

How is it stealing? It's a different system with the same objective... saving lives.

[1TUFVS]

I think that if a European car company didn't feel like the idea was developed enough to implement it, what makes holden think their engineering is better?

Clearly it's at a standard that allows it to be implemented, or they wouldn't use it..